Beschreibung:

AUSTRIAN PATENT OF NOBILITY.] -- MARIA THERESIA (1717-1780), Empress of Austria. Manuscript document signed ("Maria Theresia"), grant of arms and patent of nobility, Vienna, 10 October 1771.
AUSTRIAN PATENT OF NOBILITY.] -- MARIA THERESIA (1717-1780), Empress of Austria. Manuscript document signed ("Maria Theresia"), grant of arms and patent of nobility, Vienna, 10 October 1771. 8 leaves, 358 x 303 mm. WRITTEN ON FINE PARCHMENT, in German, finely decorated calligraphic text in black pen and ink, COAT OF ARMS FINELY ILLUMINATED IN GOLD AND COLORS: a shield featuring a lion holding an anchor, a ship and three stars, with blue, gilt red and white foliate decorations on a background of sky, trees and checkerboard floor, with burgundy draped proscenium with multiple shield devices; attached to the original velvet binding, with a braided gold cord, 8 silk ties (two missing); old zinc case housing document and seal. SEAL: The royal seal of Maria Theresia, in red wax (diameter 138 mm.), obverse showing a detailed crowned armorial device on a two headed eagle, enclosed by multiple armorial devices and Latin legend), in a two-part protective wooden case, pendant on a braided gold cord, very fine. A PATENT OF NOBILITY, WITH FINE SEAL. Maria Theresia grants a patent of nobility to Karl Anton Zeike von Baadenfeld, in return for his 20 years' service as cloth merchant, who managed to expand the family business, to become a very successful operation in Austria and abroad. Maria Theresa was a Habsburg by birth and became Archduchess of Austra, and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia from 1740-1780. She became empress when her husband was elected Holy Roman Emperer. She was undoubltedly one of the most powerful women of her time, ruling over most of central Europe.