Ex libris Privy Councilor Lichtenberg
Franz von Bayros, a master of the decorative and the slightly scandalous, created this intricate bookplate—a fancy label meant to be pasted inside a book to claim ownership. The scene is a feast of Symbolist flair: a dreamy woman draped in endless frills reclines while a lover crowns her with flowers, all framed by swirling musical notes and a watching bust above. Down below, a little cherub plays with scattered books, perhaps hinting at the owner's scholarly side, though the overall vibe is pure romantic decadence. Bayros was famous for this kind of lush, erotic detail, which often got his work censored in his day!