51 That not all experiments were successful is also attested in connection with the precious silvered burning mirror (fig. 5) from the estate of Emperor Franz I (Franz Stephan of Lorraine; 1708–1765) (fig. 6). In 1751 the emperor, together with Father Joseph Franz, attempted to smelt small diamonds into a single larger stone using this burning glass. However, the high temperatures resulted in the diamonds largely carbonizing. Costly as it was, the experiment nonetheless yielded the realization that diamonds consist of carbon. Alongside the rooms that housed his chancelleries, the monarch had a laboratory set up and equipped in his palace at Wallnerstrasse no. 3, the centre of his political, economic, scientific and artistic activities.15 In 1736, long before his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor, the Duke of Lorraine acquired the seigneurial estates of Holitsch (Holíč) and Sassin (Šaštín) in the fertile plain of the River Morava from the heavily indebted Count Joseph Czobor. He chose Schloss Holitsch as a stately country seat in keeping with his rank, enlarging it and setting up model enterprises, including a faience manufactory. On relinquishing Lorraine in 1737, he succeeded to the title of Grand Duke of Tuscany, the Medici line having died out after the death of Gian Gastone. 14 ‘ Bey außgang der 6. wochen hat der Sigmund die phiolen auß den roßmüst genohmen, die materia darinnen, so sich in der farb nicht verendert hat, mit lebendigen kalch wohl vermischet, in eine retorten gethan und gestern dan gantzen mit zimblich starken fewer übergetrieben. Eß ist aber nichts alß ein wie spiritus urinah riechendes waßer herübergangen, einiger Mercurius aber gar nicht zu sehen. Waß nun mit den caput mortuo ferner zu thun, werde ewer durch. gnadigsten befehl erwarten und verharre.’ Quoted from Haupt 2012, 868, no. 3088. 15 On this see Zedinger 2009, 26–28. Fig. 6 School of Martin van Meytens Portrait of Franz Stephan of Lorraine (1708–1765) 1745/65 Oil on canvas LIECHTENSTEIN. The Princely Collections, Vaduz–Vienna Inv. GE 1741 Fig. 7 ► Carlo Ginori Manufactory, Doccia Modeller: Gaspero Bruschi (attr.), after a model by Giuseppe Piamontini Actaeon, 1748/55 Porcelain LIECHTENSTEIN. The Princely Collections, Vaduz–Vienna Inv. PO 2294
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