Vienna c. 1810/20, mahogany veneered table-like softwood frame on conical square-cut legs, with oval compartment, a cabinet with stylised Corinthian metal columns and gallery, a door with oval portrait medallion depicting the Minister and General Count Josef Colloredo (1735 – 1818), with beading, on ebonised ground, yew veneered interior,
c. 134 x 87 x 40 cm, well-kept condition

Joseph Graf von Colloredo:
Joseph Maria Graf Colloredo-Mels und Wallsee (born on 11 September 1735 in Regensburg; died on 26 November 1818 in Vienna) was an Austrian minister and general. Joseph Maria was the son of the first Prince of Colloredo-Mannsfeld, Rudolf Joseph. He distinguished himself numerous times during the Seven Years’ War, particularly in Prague and in the Battle of Moys, and, for a brief period, was taken prisoner in Breslau. He was made a major general in 1763, given his own infantry regiment (no. 57) in 1769, quickly rose to the ranks of field marshal lieutenant and member of the Imperial War Council, and accompanied Emperor Franz Joseph II to France in 1777, whereupon he was made General Commandant of the Artillery. Although he was recommended for the Military Order of Maria Theresa in 1784, he declined it with the explanation that he was a Knight of Malta.

Grand Prior:
Count Colloredo was Grand Prior of Bohemia from 1791 until his death. During this difficult period for the Order of Malta, Colloredo fought for the preservation of the Order. Although he did not succeed in making Vienna the seat of government of the Order of Malta, which had become homeless, he let himself be made Ambassador of the Order at the Imperial Court. He was also unable to prevent the capture of seven commandries in Silesia by the King of Prussia. His successor Vinzenz Graf Kolowrat, however, was able to finally save the Order.

Further Accomplishments:
Owing to his achievements in the field of battle, Emperor Joseph II made him General of the Artillery. In the 8th Austro-Turkish War (1787–1792) he was present at the storming of the fortress at Šabac (in German: Schabatz), and, during the subsequent campaign, led the storming of Belgrade. As field marshal, he subsequently commanded the army of observation on the Prussian border, until the peace negotiations at the Reichenbach Congress (1790). After the war, with the conferment of the title of State and Conference minister, Colloredo was given command of the Imperial War Council’s operations. Still active during the years 1813 and 1814, he died on 26 November 1818.