Friday, April 18, 2008

Albert von Margutti: Historic Arms



I believe a painting of the coat of arms described above was commissioned by Tante Lisette as a gift for my father the year she died. It was found in her desk drawer, together with a note from my mother asking for a "coat of arms" for my father's birthday gift. Much later, I found the slip of paper above, describing the arms of the Baron von Margutti. I do not think my mother had anything specific in mind when she asked for the gift - probably the Chartrey de Menetreux arms would have done just as well - but it is pretty obvious from what we know now that Victor Margutti of California was Albert's closest male heir.

The public use and display of a personal coat of arms was banned in Austria in 1919, I believe, after the imperial court was abolished. This would have been for private decorative purposes only. Many thanks to Rosemarie Hindle, cousin of Ida von Margutti, who is working on an electronic image (to be posted here someday).