Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of Austrian emperors, doesn’t lose its ability to amaze. The vast gardens, the baroque interiors, the punishment implements of old…
There was no explanation card for this display, but we concluded that it was the implement for dealing with errant housemaids. It was shown next to maid’s uniform, so what else could it have been?
The museum continued to impress as we walked on to the schoolroom of the Hapsburg princes:
Alas, there were no facilities to try out the implements or recreate the scenes. It was OK, though; we’ll make sure to do that at home.
Oh my goodness, that man in red looks like he’s trying to behead that girl!
Why, didn’t you know that this was how they punished royal princes in Austria?
I’m pretty sure it’s a boy, though.
Such calm, contented looks on all their faces, oddly including the one about to be beheaded!
That’s a good looking carpet/maid beater. I remember thinking that a beating with one of them wouldn’t hurt much at all…. I was wrong! Very wrong!
LOL Haron, so it is… clearly, Austrian princes need haircuts!
Ah, the carpet beater reminds me of that scene from Fanny and Alexander, where I had the same mistaken impression, though the ceremonial aspect of poor Alexander’s punishment were awful enough.
Fortunately the drawing is so bad it’s easy for those of us who’d rather believe the offender is female to do so!
Well, I recognise the carpet-beater (aah, memories!) and is that the lacy leg of her pantalettes peeping in at the top? Candles, too, are familiar.
But what on earth is the thing in the frying pan, a branding iron, or what?
It seems that Imperial maids had a tough shelf to dust and no mistake! That’s even without standing in for Royal princes who have earned a whipping in the classroom!
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