IMPERIAL
ITEMS
The empress relied on various
gadgets and accessories to help
prepare her food, weigh herself, and
exercise. But her body was not her
only preoccupation: She also kept
her journal close by to write down
her ideas, observations, and poems.
1 , 2, AND 3: WILLFRIED GREDLER/AGE FOTOSTOCK. 4: AKG/ALBUM. 5: DEROUBAIX/GETTY IMAGES. 6: AKG/ALBUMCocaine
The empress’s medicine chest
held cocaine, which was used
to treat a wide assortment of
maladies in the 19th century.Ladder
These specially made
wall bars were used as
part of Sisi’s daily
gym routine.Meat press
This portable meat press
enabled the empress to
continue following her special
protein diet while traveling.Journal
Sisi often wrote
scabrous poems
in her diary
aimed at
members of her
family or the
court.Scale
Sisi was obsessed
with her weight
and despite being
tall at five feet
eight inches, she
kept her weight to
110 pounds.Charms
Sisi carried amulets next to
her pocket watch. Among
them was a hand to ward
off the evil eye.1256