Utility Saddle of Empress Elisabeth ("Sisi")

Empress Elisabeth was one of the most famous
horsewomen of her day. The Vienna court saddler, Casimir Foltz, who had worked
for Emperor Francis I, made the young empress this magnificent saddle in the
form of an English hunting saddle. It is equipped with three horns, a stirrup
strap and a stirrup in the form of a slipper. As the only extant utility saddle
of the empress, this precious item was moved to the imperial house’s “Reiche
Sattelkammer” shortly after Sisi’s death before finally being transferred to
the Carriage Museum.

© Monica Kurzel-Runtscheiner