Model of King Ludwig II of Bavaria's Neo-Rococo Sleigh

Designer Franz Seitz German
 Carved in the workshop of Philipp Perron

Not on view

This delicately carved miniaturized yet monumental object is a stylized version of King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s (1845–1886) famous gilt-wood sleigh designed by Franz Seitz. The full-size sleigh had a strong battery-powered light in the crown on top and was widely considered the first electrically illuminated vehicle in Bavaria. Ludwig, the “Dream” or “Mad” king, who slept during the day and was active at night, astonished the local population with his “miraculous glooming” vehicle. This fantastic model, drawn by swans rather than horses, alludes to the first act of Richard Wagner’s opera Lohengrin. The crowns around the swans’ necks and the imposing size suggest that it may have been a display piece at the castle of Neuschwanstein or Linderhof Palace, two of the king’s architectural fairytale creations that incorporate crowned swans as royal emblems.

Model of King Ludwig II of Bavaria's Neo-Rococo Sleigh, Franz Seitz (German, 1817–1883), Historic ivory, carved, punched, and engraved; on oval silk velvet-covered wooden stand with historic ivory ball feet, German, Munich

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Photo of object installed (behind glass in case) in Cantor East Decorative Arts Gallery.