The Millions Room in the east wing of Schönbrunn Palace is one in of the most important rooms created during the age of Maria Theresa. The rare rosewood panelling is now being restored.
The Millions Room was first mentioned in 1767 as the "Vicatin cabinet", a name deriving from the precious panelling using a tropical rosewood type known as Feketin or Vicatin. Great artistic and cultural significance is also attached to the cartouches inserted in the panelling, which originate from an Indo-Persian Mogul manuscript and were compiled into collages for the Millions Room by the children of Maria Theresa.
As early as the 1980s, the miniatures, veritable treasures made of paper, were detached from their frames, restored and placed in deposit. In the Room itself, they were replaced by photocopies so that the originals would no longer be exposed to light and the atmosphere. Now, after many years of preparation, a start is also to be made on the restoration of the rare rosewood panelling with its skilfully worked veneers. The individual wall panels will be taken down step by step and processed in the restoration workshops. When they are returned, the current photocopies of the Mogul miniatures will be replaced by high-quality facsimile reprints.