Zprávy památkové péče 2013, 73(5):412-419

Information on the Silberkammer of the noble Seilern-Aspang family in the Lešná Chateau near Zlín

Anna Grossová

Silver chambers, established as specially protected areas for storing silver and silver-plated ware and other family valuables and equipped for this purpose with designed furniture and eventually safes, were not only a privilege of the ruling families but a normal part of wealthy aristocratic households. Such a special room was set up at the end of the 19th century by the Seilern-Aspang family in the Lešná Chateau in Zlín.
The family used Lešná Chateau (built between 1805-1806) as its main summer residence from the 1860's. When Count Franz of Seilern and Aspang (1859-1919) attempted to rebuild the former castle, he encountered material and constructional deficiencies and decided instead to build a completely new building on the same site. His inspiration for this grandiose plan was most likely the Ó Kigyosi Chateau from 1875-1879 of Count Friedrich von Wenckheim (1842-1912). To prepare such a project which would satisfy the demands placed on a dignified family residence, he commissioned the Viennese architect Johan Mick, who created four complete new chateau projects from 1885 to 1888. The last proposal contained the initial plan to build a silver chamber and was ultimately realized.
All that is left from the original furnishings today is a large recessed six-part steel drawer vault, made in 1891 in the workshop of the Viennese imperial and royal court locksmith Anton Biro. The most representative silver pieces were exhibited in the dining room on the shelves of the "buffet", designed as an integral part of the room's wood paneling by architect Viktor Siedek. After the death of Count Franz (died in Lešná on 23 January 1919) the silver content of the chamber (550 pieces) became an integral part of the Moravian Seilern-Aspang trusteeship, together with all interior furnishings of the Lešná Chateau. Some of its contents are still preserved in the furniture collection of the Lešná Chateau, currently administered by the National Heritage Institute.

Keywords: Silver chamber; table and household silver; fideikomis (trusteeship); allodium; Moravia; Lešná Chateau near Zlín; Seilern-Aspang

Published: December 1, 2013  Show citation