Black Forest Austrian 19th Century Eckartsau Castle Archduke Franz Ferdinand & Kaiser Wilhelm II Fallow Deer mount with Dr. R. K. Hytha medal "Waidmannsheid" (Good Hunting). The Castle of Eckartsau in Austria was Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s (heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) estate from which these antlers were taken. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the owner of the Eckartsau Palace, had it turned into a hunt castle. Today Eckartsau is now a museum, were many of his trophies are displayed. The Eckartsau Hunt Castle would host Ferdinand’s family and various dignitaries included hunts with King Wilhelm II, the last King of Prussia and the last Emperor or Kaiser of Germany. A group of the trophies were acquired by a collector and imported into the US. The royal trophies in the collection were from both the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Eckartsau Estate and Kaiser Wilhelm II, Eulenburg Estate. The taxidermy features a wonderfully and professionally crafted Fallow deer antler and carved hardwood construction that shows a brass medal hanging from the skull cap. "Waidmannsheil" is a traditional German hunting greeting, meaning "good hunting" or "may the hunt be successful", and is used among hunters to wish each other luck before or after a hunt. The taxidermy comes with antique Habsburg antlers from the Eckartsau Castle of Emperor Franz Josef in the Southern Austrian Alps, a favorite hunting Schloss of the Habsburg family. Part of The European Hunt Collection, this grouping of antique hunting trophies from Royal and Noble families of Germany & Austria has been examined and appraised by James Supp of Coronado Trading Co., who is best known for his work. The condition of this fallow deer is well preserved with only some slight wear to the painted hardwood shield but otherwise is in well preserved overall condition. 23" x 27 3/4" x 19 1/2"

This is a large or fragile item, so shipping will not calculate on our website. Please contact the Gallery at (208) 769-7575; [email protected] to get a shipping quote, or to purchase.

PERIOD: 19th Century

ORIGIN: Austria, Europe

SIZE: 23" x 27 3/4" x 19 1/2"