Founded as a pawn shop in 1707 by Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I, Austria's Dorotheum is the oldest of the world's large auction houses. Like a swanky flea market, it's where unwanted items find someone to appreciate them again. There's much value in creating quality items that can be used and passed down repeatedly; it's a sustainable practice that makes economic and cultural sense and is more caring of the environment than trashing old items. Housed in a grand palace, it's a treat to see the furniture, art, lamps, dishes, coats, jewelry and other household items of high society from days—or centuries—past.
What a fascination place. Will you post photos of a few of the more interesting items offered there?
ReplyDeleteJeff
I'll have to make a trip back to get such photos...but I'm happy to do that. Stay tuned. Anything you'd especially like me to find?
ReplyDeleteI didn't have anything special in mind. Just anything that catches your perceptive eye. Something of interesting shapes and colors perhaps? Is it a long trip across town?
ReplyDeleteOne of the great things about Vienna is that it's a very compact city with an excellent public transportation system so going most places is very easy. We rarely need the car in town.
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