Members of the imperial family travelled regularly – for example, on political missions in and outside the Habsburg multinational state, or to their summer residences and hunting lodges. Depending on the reason, these journeys required larger or smaller numbers of accompanying court staff, and varying needs for additional baggage and equipment. Since the material infrastructure available along the way did not meet the minimum standard required for individuals of imperial rank, tableware and equipment was also taken along, a circumstance that involved highly complex logistics.

Numerous tailor-made cases and transportation boxes preserved in the collection attest to these imperial journeys. Fitted linings in the cases ensured that precious tableware survived transport by horse-drawn wagons undamaged. Various court offices and staff were involved in the preparation and transport of the tableware. The initials on the cases indicate which office was responsible: HSK stood for the Hofsilberkammer (Court Silver Room), HK for the Hofkeller (Court Cellars), HZB for the Hofzuckerbäckerei (Court Confectionery). Sometimes the abbreviations also identified the contents, for example EHB for the Erherzogliche Bronze (Archducal Bronze).