Congratulation card - so called Kunstbillet (Art ticket), with depicting the church of friendship

A typical genre of Biedermeier was the Kunstbillet in Vienna it is a unique type of greeting cards. In the social life and in the human relations of the period greeting cards were given at special occasions – usually on New Year’s Day, but in case of a name day it also played an important role. An entire legion of graphic artists and publishers were involved in this genre, which had several branches from engravings to the lace-like or satin-covered cards, from movable pictures to the clever cards giving the illusion of space. One of its specialties is the so-called Kunstbillet that can be connected to Joseph Endletzberger and followers. This is a small artefact on its own, a miniature picture: a collage made on an open-worked, crepe base in copper or gilt, pressed paper frame. Above the pressed paper, various materials, mother-of-pearl and pearls were used. This greeting card features one of the most frequent motifs: the temple of friendship and harmony within woods rich in flowers.