Anna Constantia von Brockdorff, the Countess of Cosel, was born in 1680. She became the “Official Mistress” of Augustus the Strong, King of Poland in 1705. Getting crosswise with influential members of the Polish court, she was taken to Stolpen Castle where she remained imprisoned for the next 49 years. Anna Constantia is pictured wearing elaborate jewels. Her pearled diadem I have interpreted into the beaded edges of the shawl. The exquisite brooches which hold her shawls closed I have recreated in the central motif of this shawl. The zig-zags along the side represent the stone staircases of the region in which she was imprisoned for so many years.

Also requires 100. 8/0 seed beads for beaded edges.