Her Majesty’s Furniture: Prince Albert’s Neo-Gothic Oak Bookcase

Carl Leistler & Son, the makers of this masterpiece of Austrian Gothic furniture, were given the chance to include this bookcase in their display at the Great Exhibition of 1851. There, the bookcase caught the eye of Prince Albert who had been largely responsible for the Great Exhibition.

Bookcase of Oak
Austria, 1851
The Victoria & Albert Museum

As a token of his esteem and gratitude for Austria’s presence at the Great Exhibition, the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef gave the bookcase, still containing books and albums of watercolors, to Queen Victoria. Victoria knew that her husband had long admired the bookcase and presented it to Prince Albert who initially used it at Buckingham Palace. Later, it was moved to Holyroodhouse when it was refurbished for the royal family during their holidays in Edinburgh.

In 1923, King George V wishing to make an important gift to the University of Edinburgh, presented his grandfather’s favorite bookcase to the institution.

Decorating Tip: Creating the Unexpected

Part of keeping your home décor exciting is adding something unexpected. Decorating during The Belle Époque was about color, elegance, excitement and showcasing important, interesting objects. We can employ this principle today in our own homes.

For example, you can display a picture in an unexpected place. Not only does this add excitement to a room, but serves as an excellent way to create the perfect backdrop for something you value.

In my own home, I display paintings in unusual places all the time. I think this creates drama in the room. You can hang a picture on a bookshelf, in front of drapery on a window (making sure the painting is protected from damaging light), you can lean a picture on a chair that’s never used or create a grouping with a picture and other objects on a desk or sideboard. Use your imagination. The possibilities are limitless.