ROYAL Silk Dress, from the estate of Maria Theresa of Austria, Queen of the Two Sicilies, ca. 1848

If this dress had been worn in Germany in 1848, we would be talking about the late Biedermeier period. However, this dress was worn in Italy. It belonged to Maria Theresa of Austria. Maria Theresa Isabella (* July 31, 1816 at Weilburg Castle (Baden) near Vienna, Austria; † August 8, 1867 in Albano Laziale, Italy) was an Austrian archduchess and, through her marriage to Ferdinand II of Bourbon, queen of both Sicilies from 1837-1859. One of her daughters was Maria Immaculata of Naples-Sicily (* April 14, 1844; † February 18, 1899). In 1861, she married Archduke Karl Salvator of Austria-Tuscany (1839-1892). This marriage produced Maria Immaculata (1878-1968), who married Duke Robert von Württemberg (1873-1947). This is how this dress came into the House of Württemberg. 

In our experience, people only kept dresses that were associated with a special memory. Perhaps that was also the case here. It must have been passed down from grandmother to daughter and then to granddaughter.

We acquired these dress, together with other wonderful and rare pieces, from the estate of Dr. Alexander Eugen Duke of Württemberg (1933-2024). 

The dress is made from a striped green-brown silk fabric that shimmers slightly gold in the light. The antique dress is a one-piece. The top and skirt are decorated with brown fringes. The decorative buttons on the skirt are attached in the order of their size. Thanks to the cut, the top is tapered. Horizontal appliqués made from metal threads. Button fastening. The top two buttons are missing. The skirt falls in the typical round shape of skirts from this period. The top is lined on the inside with light-colored cotton. In good to very good condition. The dress has signs of age and wear; a few stains. 

Waist: ~ 57 cm
Chest: ~ 79 cm
Length: ~ 140 cm