More stuff in the Treasury

More treasures from the Green Vault

The coronation robes and jewels of the Electors of Saxony as Kings of Poland and many other curious things together with immense quantities of gold plate and many splendid pieces of carving in old times in [75] various materials, with some most beautiful bronzes. In find the most curious rich collection perhaps in the World. Our next visit was to the armory. This also very complete & superior to most others. I saw there the boots & saddles which Napoleon wore in the battle of Dresden – and the white satin shoes embroidered with gold worn at his Coronation. Many suits of armor by diff [erent] heroes of diff^t  battles and a very fine collection of arms and suits of armor together with a Turkish tent and all the concomitants: bows, arrows, sabers &c. &c. – –In the armory we were also shown the sword of Martin Luther and a very handsome drinking cup presented to him by the Elector of his day.----------


We also took a stroll into the Museum of Antiquities which however was miserably deficient in interest to any one, who like ourselves, had seen so many superior. [76]

Dinglinger's Masterpiece

Johann Melchior Dinglinger (1664-1731),
The Birthday of the Grand Mogul Aurangzeb

The curious part of the collection consisted of many pieces of work by a German artist one Dinglinger, which in execution surpassed any thing I ever dreamed of. For instance one piece was a view of the throne and attendance of the Great Mogul. There are more than 100 figures in the scene all of gold enameled, and each having a distinct expression, Slaves Ambassadors with presents and all things attendant on such an occasion admirably portrayed. Caricatures of people living at the time things were made our admirably executed in precious stones, brilliant pearls &c.

The "Green Vaults"

My next visit was to the Treasury, or as they are here called “the Green Vaults,” containing immense riches, and so arranged that the succeeding room should be richer than the preceding.  The diamonds in one or two of the rooms surpassed in size any thing I ever saw.  There were several setts of Buttons, collars bracelets, &c. Enormous. A collar of brilliant stile worn on State occasions by the Queen I may safely say was composed of stones each large as a small hickory nut. 

 

The Dresden Green Diamond in the hat clasp ornament