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  PATRIOTIC PIECE – FULL-COLOR GLASS – KAISER WILHELM I

  SKU: 20-297

  $75.00

  I have examined this item for several minutes trying to categorize it for you. The best that I have come up with it is that it is a patriotic display item commemorating Germany’s first Kaiser, Wilhelm I (1797-1888). In addition to being Kaiser, he was also Prussia’s King from 1861 until his death in 1888. He assumed Prussia’s throne in 1861 when his older brother König Friedrich Wilhelm IV (1795-1861) died. Wilhelm IV was paralyzed and mentally incapacitated by a stroke in 1857. In 1858 Wilhelm I assumed the position of Regent for his older brother and remained in this position until the King’s death in 1861. He continued his brother’s policy of German unification, which was largely completed with the conclusion of the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. Through all this and for the balance of his rule until his 1888 death, his closest advisor and political ally was none other than the “Iron Chancellor,” Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898). While Wilhelm I remained King of Prussia, the other German states deferred to Prussian rule. After the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War’s end, he was formally recognized as Emperor of Germany, as well as King of Prussia. Wilhelm I remained the political and moral head of Germany, and was much beloved by his people. Upon his death in March 1888, he was succeeded for ninety-nine days by his son, Germany’s second Kaiser, Friedrich III. Friedrich III was in ill health and died of cancer in June 1888. The third and final Kaiser of Germany, Friedrich III’s son and Wilhelm I’s grandson was Wilhelm II. He ruled Germany from June 1888 until November 1918. As a part of the German surrender following WW I’s end, Wilhelm II agreed to exile in the Netherlands. The House of Hohenzollern, which extended back to Frederick the Great’s time, no longer ruled Germany. Returning to our offering, we have a circular piece that measures 1 1/2″ in diameter. Its gold-toned frame might be brass, or some other non magnetic material. What I believe is a glass panel is inside the frame. A full color likeness of Kaiser Wilhelm I is painted on the panel. He is wearing a full dress uniform complete with a generalfeldmarschall’s epaulettes. On the uniform we see a large medal bar with numerous decorations. He is also wearing the Goldene Kette of the Order of the Black Eagle. The Kette was a large and elaborate collar or oversized neck device. It was made of gold and placed over his neck. It hung down making a very impressive device that was the ultimate expression of being a House of Hohenzollern Prince. Princes were invested with it, and it could only be worn by a born-of-the-blood Prince on state occasions. Certain decorations from the “Black Eagle” decoration family were awarded to very favored individuals at the pleasure of the House of Hohenzollern’s head member. The Black Eagle was proximately displayed on general officers’ headdresses and was a central theme of the headdresses of officers, NCO’s, and enlisted men from the various Garde-Regiments, General Staff, etc. Also on Wilhelm I’s neck in this presentation is the Orden Pour le Mérite. This patriotic item is two-sided so the image may be seen on both sides. The image is somewhat faded and less than what it looked like when it was created more than one-hundred-years ago. Scratches and discoloration of the glass itself are evident. The entire feel is that it shows honest age. I have not seen anything quite like this. Other than being a patriotic piece, I do not know how to explain it. One might also think of it as table medal, but even that is not a correct assessment.

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  I have examined this item for several minutes trying to categorize it for you. The best that I have come up with it is that it is a patriotic display item commemorating Germany’s first Kaiser, Wilhelm I (1797-1888). In addition to being Kaiser, he was also Prussia’s King from 1861 until his death in 1888. He assumed Prussia’s throne in 1861 when his older brother König Friedrich Wilhelm IV (1795-1861) died. Wilhelm IV was paralyzed and mentally incapacitated by a stroke in 1857. In 1858 Wilhelm I assumed the position of Regent for his older brother and remained in this position until the King’s death in 1861. He continued his brother’s policy of German unification, which was largely completed with the conclusion of the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. Through all this and for the balance of his rule until his 1888 death, his closest advisor and political ally was none other than the “Iron Chancellor,” Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898). While Wilhelm I remained King of Prussia, the other German states deferred to Prussian rule. After the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War’s end, he was formally recognized as Emperor of Germany, as well as King of Prussia. Wilhelm I remained the political and moral head of Germany, and was much beloved by his people. Upon his death in March 1888, he was succeeded for ninety-nine days by his son, Germany’s second Kaiser, Friedrich III. Friedrich III was in ill health and died of cancer in June 1888. The third and final Kaiser of Germany, Friedrich III’s son and Wilhelm I’s grandson was Wilhelm II. He ruled Germany from June 1888 until November 1918. As a part of the German surrender following WW I’s end, Wilhelm II agreed to exile in the Netherlands. The House of Hohenzollern, which extended back to Frederick the Great’s time, no longer ruled Germany. Returning to our offering, we have a circular piece that measures 1 1/2″ in diameter. Its gold-toned frame might be brass, or some other non magnetic material. What I believe is a glass panel is inside the frame. A full color likeness of Kaiser Wilhelm I is painted on the panel. He is wearing a full dress uniform complete with a generalfeldmarschall’s epaulettes. On the uniform we see a large medal bar with numerous decorations. He is also wearing the Goldene Kette of the Order of the Black Eagle. The Kette was a large and elaborate collar or oversized neck device. It was made of gold and placed over his neck. It hung down making a very impressive device that was the ultimate expression of being a House of Hohenzollern Prince. Princes were invested with it, and it could only be worn by a born-of-the-blood Prince on state occasions. Certain decorations from the “Black Eagle” decoration family were awarded to very favored individuals at the pleasure of the House of Hohenzollern’s head member. The Black Eagle was proximately displayed on general officers’ headdresses and was a central theme of the headdresses of officers, NCO’s, and enlisted men from the various Garde-Regiments, General Staff, etc. Also on Wilhelm I’s neck in this presentation is the Orden Pour le Mérite. This patriotic item is two-sided so the image may be seen on both sides. The image is somewhat faded and less than what it looked like when it was created more than one-hundred-years ago. Scratches and discoloration of the glass itself are evident. The entire feel is that it shows honest age. I have not seen anything quite like this. Other than being a patriotic piece, I do not know how to explain it. One might also think of it as table medal, but even that is not a correct assessment.

  German patriotic jewelry, rings, lockets, pendants, and necklaces are a very sentimental category. Each time we are fortunate to receive patriotic jewelry it always seems to come with its own personality. We imagine how this piece was worn by its owner to show their patriotism and support. If you have any questions regarding the German patriotic jewelry please contact us 727.233.6173 or email kgreenfield@derrittmeister.com. Der Rittmeister Militaria has been providing collectors with over 20 years of service and look forward to another 20 years of treasures.

   

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  BAVARIA – PRINZ ALFONS’ CASED URKUNDE – HONORARY PRESIDENT – ARTILLERY VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION – DILLINGEN

  SKU: 20-218

  $1,495.00

  Over the years I have tried to bring you many different types of royalty items. While I have offered many items from Kaiser Wilhelm II and other key members of German royalty, I have always had a soft place in my heart for Prinz Alfons of Bavaria. I will not task you here with his history, since it is well-chronicled elsewhere on this website. I will say that Prinz Alfons served as regimental chef to several regiments. Today we are offering a unique urkunde (award document). This document was issued to Prinz Alfons in September 1924. The document made him the honorary Ehrenpräsident (President) of the Artillerie-Vereinigung des Bezirks Dillingen. As I understand it, this was a veteran’s organization for former members of Artillerie-Regiments. I cannot stress too strongly this urkunde’s exquisite beauty. The document (actually, two documents) is housed in a sumptuous, dark-blue leather folio. The folio measures 13 1/2″ x 10 1/4.” The folio’s front is trimmed and embellished in gold. Pasted onto its center is a hand painted, full-color profile of a cannon, with its barrel elevated and ready to fire. Some shells are stacked around it. The cannon’s image is enclosed within a hand-painted border of blue and gold, embellished with blue oak and laurel leaves. Stylized “nails” decorate the four corners in Bavaria’s and Germany’s national colors. The small painting is then set within a gold-trimmed frame on the folio’s front. As one opens the folio, the two parts of the document are revealed. Each part is made of a high-quality velum. The left-hand document measures 13″ x 9 1/2.” The first thing that appears is a hand painted or a water-colored image of a watch tower within a small city. Below that, in the most beautiful calligraphy, is the first part of the award document. It has been executed in black ink. Below that in regal red is the name “S. K. H. Prinz Alfons v. Bayern.” Not only is it done in red ink, but each of the letters is painstakingly trimmed in gold. This portion of the document is dated 28 September 1924. The right-hand document displays another hand painted or water-colored image, this one of a castle in the moonlight. Beneath the picture the urkunde’s text continues in black ink. Prinz Alfons and his title of Ehrenpräsident are again listed in red ink trimmed with gold. This side of the document is dated 21 December 1924. It bears the signatures of several officials of either the group and/or the city. Finally, a black rubber stamp has been applied that shows the organization’s name. For being nearly eighty-five-years-old, the leather folio and the two documents are in amazing condition. Even if documents are not your primary interest, please take a few moments to look at the attached photos and see the quality and workmanship that went into this set.

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  Over the years I have tried to bring you many different types of royalty items. While I have offered many items from Kaiser Wilhelm II and other key members of German royalty, I have always had a soft place in my heart for Prinz Alfons of Bavaria. I will not task you here with his history, since it is well-chronicled elsewhere on this website. I will say that Prinz Alfons served as regimental chef to several regiments. Today we are offering a unique urkunde (award document). This document was issued to Prinz Alfons in September 1924. The document made him the honorary Ehrenpräsident (President) of the Artillerie-Vereinigung des Bezirks Dillingen. As I understand it, this was a veteran’s organization for former members of Artillerie-Regiments. I cannot stress too strongly this urkunde’s exquisite beauty. The document (actually, two documents) is housed in a sumptuous, dark-blue leather folio. The folio measures 13 1/2″ x 10 1/4.” The folio’s front is trimmed and embellished in gold. Pasted onto its center is a hand painted, full-color profile of a cannon, with its barrel elevated and ready to fire. Some shells are stacked around it. The cannon’s image is enclosed within a hand-painted border of blue and gold, embellished with blue oak and laurel leaves. Stylized “nails” decorate the four corners in Bavaria’s and Germany’s national colors. The small painting is then set within a gold-trimmed frame on the folio’s front. As one opens the folio, the two parts of the document are revealed. Each part is made of a high-quality velum. The left-hand document measures 13″ x 9 1/2.” The first thing that appears is a hand painted or a water-colored image of a watch tower within a small city. Below that, in the most beautiful calligraphy, is the first part of the award document. It has been executed in black ink. Below that in regal red is the name “S. K. H. Prinz Alfons v. Bayern.” Not only is it done in red ink, but each of the letters is painstakingly trimmed in gold. This portion of the document is dated 28 September 1924. The right-hand document displays another hand painted or water-colored image, this one of a castle in the moonlight. Beneath the picture the urkunde’s text continues in black ink. Prinz Alfons and his title of Ehrenpräsident are again listed in red ink trimmed with gold. This side of the document is dated 21 December 1924. It bears the signatures of several officials of either the group and/or the city. Finally, a black rubber stamp has been applied that shows the organization’s name. For being nearly eighty-five-years-old, the leather folio and the two documents are in amazing condition. Even if documents are not your primary interest, please take a few moments to look at the attached photos and see the quality and workmanship that went into this set.

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• 

  PRUSSIA – ROYAL GIFT – J. GODET & SÖHNE “BON BON” JAR GIVEN BY KAISER WILHELM II AS ROYAL GIFT

  SKU: 20-317

  $2,995.00

  Here is a simply stunning royal “Bon Bon” jar from Berlin’s fabled court jeweler J. Godet & Söhne’s workshops, which Kaiser Wilhelm II gifted to some fortunate recipient. Royal gifts from Kaiser Wilhelm II came in a wide variety of types….

   

   

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  PRUSSIA – ROYAL GIFT – J. GODET & SÖHNE “BON BON” JAR GIVEN BY KAISER WILHELM II AS ROYAL GIFT

  Here is a simply stunning royal “Bon Bon” jar from Berlin’s fabled court jeweler J. Godet & Söhne’s workshops, which Kaiser Wilhelm II gifted to some fortunate recipient. Royal gifts from Kaiser Wilhelm II came in a wide variety of types. Any gift given by the Kaiser was significant. Highly-prized when initially given, they are even more avidly sought out by today’s collectors. The gifts range from jewelry (stickpins, cigarette cases, watches, brooches, etc.) to various other personal items. Today we are offering an unusual glass “Bon Bon” jar. In its time, the squat glass jar would have been a table or desk accessory.

  The jar measures 5 5/8” at its greatest width, 3 7/8” in diameter at the top, and 3 5/8” in diameter at the base. Its base displays a fine rayed design. Etched into the jar’s side we see “Wilhelm II Deutscher Kaiser und König von Preussen.” Fitted to the jar’s top is a fine-silver and leather-covered lid. Affixed to the center of the lid’s leather background is an ultra-high-quality silver Hohenzollern Eagle that measures 1 ½” x 2.” Its side is hallmarked “J. Godet – .950.” [Berlin’s J. Godet & Söhne was one of the Kaiser and the royal family’s better-known court jewelers, among the likes of Gebrüder Friedlander, Wagner & Söhne, etc. These firms specialized in orders and decorations, as well as assorted silver and gold gifts]. The jar’s workmanship and overall condition is first-rate. Filled with any number of items, or displayed as is, it will make a striking addition to any collection.

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