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A project funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) allowed interdisciplinary research on the so-called "Chinese Cabinets" and the "Porcelain Room" at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna. These interiors can be considered as excellent examples of the mid-18th century taste of the Habsburg family for East Asian room decorations.
The presentation of the research results from Schönbrunn formed an essential part of the second international conference "The Conservation of East Asian Cabinets in Imperial Residences (1700-1900)" now published in this volume. Enriched by contributions from international and interdisciplinary experts - conservators and art historians and natural scientists - the reflection of this special topic revealed remarkable findings on the manufacture, provenance and conservation history of porcelain, lacquerware, paper and textile wall hangings as integral parts of baroque interiors not only in Schönbrunn but also in related sites in Europe and other parts of the world.

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Krist, Gabriela
Gabriela Krist ist seit 1999 Universitätsprofessorin an der Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien und Leiterin des Instituts für Konservierung und Restaurierung. Studium der Restaurierung an der Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien sowie Studium der Kunstgeschichte und Archäologie in Wien und Salzburg. Langjährige Tätigkeit bei ICCROM in Rom und am Österreichischen Bundesdenkmalamt.

Iby, Elfriede
Elfriede Iby focuses on the research of the history of Schönbrunn Palace and its interiors. Since 1997 she is head of the Department of Research and Documentation of the Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. She is co-responsible for the preservation and preventive conservation of the building structure and responsible curator of the historical interior decoration of the Palace and the Imperial Apartments.

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