Work · Saddle · The workshop
The parade set for Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Парадный набор для эрцгерцога Франца Фердинандаprobably 1911–1912
- Matvey Alekseyevich Kalaushin · master
- Fedot Alekseyevich Kalaushin · master
- ◇ family testimony · confirmed by relatives
The family’s account
◇ family testimony · confirmed by relatives
The family remembers the last commission that Matvey Alekseyevich carried out together with Fedot Alekseyevich as a complete set of parade equipment for Archduke Franz Ferdinand — “full parade harness, saddles, sabres, kinzhals and so on”. The family history records that it was a “political” commission, meant to help improve relations with Austria-Hungary; war came all the same in 1914, after the Archduke’s assassination. Relatives confirm that the commission was completed.
- ◇ A.B. Kalaushin’s roster, No. 71
- ◇ Family testimony: V.O. Kalaushin, 8 Oct 2026
Documentary context
Dating
△ hypothesis · dating
Matvey Alekseyevich died in 1912, so the work was finished no later than that year; if it was his last commission, probably in 1911–1912, when he took over the workshop of his father, who had died in 1911. From 1891 the Archduke was honorary chief of the Russian 26th Bug Dragoon Regiment, and in February 1902 he travelled to St Petersburg to present himself to Nicholas II as a General of Cavalry of the Russian army.
Where the documents may be found
- Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv, Vienna: HA OMaA 505 — inventory of the Konopiště arms collection (1915).
- Franz Ferdinand’s papers, cartons 35–40 “Ehrenpreise und Geschenke” (1892–1914), especially 39–40 (1910–1914).
- Kriegsarchiv, Vienna — the Archduke’s military chancellery, section “Geschenke”, 1908–1914.
- Czech National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) and Konopiště Castle — inventories of 1914 and 1921, the armoury.
- RGIA, f. 468 (His Imperial Majesty’s Cabinet) — files on gifts.
People
Makers
- Matvey Alekseyevich Kalaushin 1867 – 1912 master first cousin four times removed
- Fedot Alekseyevich Kalaushin 1871 – 1920 master first cousin four times removed
Other works
- Saddle and saddle straps by Matvey Kalaushin (Caucasus Exhibition, Tiflis, 1889)1889
- “Leather goods” by Fedot and Mikhail Kalaushin (All-Russian Exhibition, 1896)1896
- “Leather goods” by Matvey Kalaushin (All-Russian Exhibition, 1896)1896
- The saddle for the Shah of Persiaspring to early summer 1900 (△ dating)
- Daggers “of Kalaus steel”early 20th century
- Saddles for officers of the Convoy from the Kalaushin workshopc. 1895–1914
- The Kalaushin house in Labinsk1890-е