Liturgical Köchert Archive
Order books from the 19th century bear witness to illustrious names and glittering jewellery, with thousands of drawings recalling the styles and fashions of the past and art-historical epochs. These include numerous liturgical vessels and sacred artefacts – historical testimonies to the Habsburg ties with the Catholic Church. Whether in the Votive Church (Votivkirche) in Vienna or in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, these Köchert works are still held in honour today.
In the Votive Church, for example, is the precious ciborium, a richly designed vessel for the hosts that was crafted, and donated, by A.E. Köchert in the 1870s; it was first used in 1879 for the church’s consecration, which was held in honour of the silver wedding anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.
A comparison between the piece – adorned with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, pearls and enamel – and its original drawings reveals intriguing details. The sketched design initially included a lid that was set with turquoise and coral, however, an even more refined pearl ornamentation was ultimately applied to the actual lid. Also, the finished cross was further enhanced with more pearls and a large emerald. These details underscore the great significance of the commission. And just as noteworthy, the floral crowning along the rim of the lid already was hinting at the design language of the future Art Nouveau – or Jugendstil.
The archive also contains numerous designs for magnificent monstrances and other ciboria and chalices as well as finely crafted crosses. Some treasures from Maison Köchert made their way to Rome; the most renowned cross from the house can be found in the Vatican. In 1887, Emperor Franz Joseph gifted this precious standing cross, with its sapphires and diamonds, to Pope Pius IX for the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
Also Pope Pius X was honoured with an imperial gift for the 50th anniversary of his priesthood ordination. On this occasion, in 1908, Emperor Franz Joseph presented the Holy Father with a pectoral cross more than 15 cm in height. This cross was regarded as a symbol of deep solidarity, a particularly personal gift as it was worn directly on the body.
