{"product_id":"german-battleship-schleswig-holstein-cast-metal-ship-crest-plaque","title":"German Battleship Schleswig-Holstein Cast-Metal Ship Crest Plaque","description":"\u003cp\u003eA substantial German Schiffswappen (ship's crest) associated with the battleship Schleswig-Holstein, one of the remarkably long-lived capital ships of the German navy. The plaque combines the historic heraldry of Schleswig and Holstein in a deeply modeled, hand-painted metal shield mounted to a black-finished wooden backing. Its construction, dimensions, and presentation correspond closely with surviving plaques cataloged specifically as ship crests for the Linienschiff Schleswig-Holstein.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plaque measures approximately 8 inches high by 6 1\/2 inches wide and weighs a substantial 1 pound 13.5 ounces. The raised metal heraldic shield is secured to a shaped black-painted wooden mounting plaque by three slotted fasteners. A triangular metal hanging loop is mounted at the upper reverse for wall display. The reverse of the wooden backing is left unfinished and shows the fasteners securing the metal crest. No maker's mark, date, or ownership inscription is observed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shield is divided vertically into the traditional arms of Schleswig and Holstein. On the viewer's left are two blue lions arranged one above the other against a gold field. These are the historic lions of the Duchy of Schleswig, ultimately derived from the royal arms of Denmark. On the viewer's right is the silver Nesselblatt (nettle leaf) of Holstein against a red field. The unusual stylized nettle leaf is one of the oldest and most recognizable heraldic devices associated with northern Germany and derives from the arms of the Counts of Schauenburg and Holstein.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two heraldic traditions were combined centuries before the creation of the modern German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Following Prussia's annexation of Schleswig and Holstein in the nineteenth century, the combined arms continued in official use, with the Schleswig lions oriented toward the Holstein nettle leaf to emphasize the union of the two territories. This combined device subsequently became a natural emblem for the warship named Schleswig-Holstein.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Linienschiff Schleswig-Holstein was the final member of the five-ship Deutschland class of pre-dreadnought battleships constructed for the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy). Laid down at Germaniawerft in Kiel in 1905, she was launched in December 1906 and entered service on July 6, 1908. Although the revolutionary British HMS Dreadnought had already rendered ships of her general type technically obsolete by the time she entered service, Schleswig-Holstein nevertheless went on to have one of the longest and most historically significant careers of any German capital ship of her generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the First World War she served with the II. Battle Squadron of the Hochseeflotte (High Seas Fleet) and participated in the Battle of Jutland, or Skagerrakschlacht, on May 31 and June 1, 1916. Schleswig-Holstein operated among the older pre-dreadnoughts toward the rear of the German battle line and was struck by a heavy shell during the fighting. The experience demonstrated the vulnerability of these older ships in a fleet increasingly dominated by dreadnought battleships, and her front-line role was subsequently reduced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike most major vessels of the Imperial German fleet, Schleswig-Holstein survived both the war and the postwar disposal of the High Seas Fleet. She was retained by Germany under the restrictions imposed after 1918 and later served with the Reichsmarine of the Weimar Republic. Modernization during the 1920s altered her appearance and equipment, and the veteran battleship eventually assumed important training and representative duties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ship remained in naval service into the following political era. On September 1, 1939, while positioned in Danzig harbor, Schleswig-Holstein opened fire against the Polish military position at Westerplatte. The bombardment is conventionally associated with the opening military actions of the Second World War in Europe. The episode gave this already veteran Imperial-era battleship an extraordinary historical connection spanning both world wars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present crest displays the arms associated with the ship's namesake province without political symbols or inscriptions specific to a particular German naval administration. Its form, heavy cast-metal construction, colored finish, and black wooden mounting correspond closely with another approximately 15 by 19 centimeter example cataloged by a specialist militaria dealer as a Schiffswappen for the Linienschiff Schleswig-Holstein.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe precise production date of this example cannot presently be confirmed. Schleswig-Holstein served under three successive German naval organizations, and ship crests and related commemorative heraldic plaques were produced in differing forms during more than one period. No maker's stamp or dated inscription survives here to establish manufacture during the Imperial, Reichsmarine, or later naval-service period. It is therefore more responsible to identify the piece firmly by vessel while leaving its precise production period open rather than assigning an unsupported date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition is very good overall. The cast-metal shield remains complete and displays strong relief throughout. The blue Schleswig lions retain considerable painted finish, with scattered rubbing and small localized losses to raised portions including paws, faces, tails, and edges. The gold field remains visually strong with expected age-related surface variation. The red Holstein field and silver-colored nettle leaf retain good contrast, with scattered rubbing and minor finish loss to the highest points of the relief. The black wooden mount shows scratches, small abrasions, edge wear, and localized finish loss consistent with handling and display. The unfinished reverse exhibits normal age toning and surface marks. All three slotted retaining fasteners and the upper hanging loop remain present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of substantial construction, colorful heraldic presentation, close correspondence to documented Schleswig-Holstein ship crests, and association with a vessel whose service extended from the Kaiserliche Marine through the First World War and into the profoundly different naval environment of 1939 gives this plaque considerably greater historical interest than a general regional heraldic decoration. It is an appealing artifact for a collection devoted to Imperial German naval history, the High Seas Fleet, the Battle of Jutland, historic German warships, or maritime heraldry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50633522675951,"sku":"18-143","price":159.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/9169\/5855\/files\/18-143_1.jpg?v=1787950576","url":"https:\/\/derrittmeister.com\/products\/german-battleship-schleswig-holstein-cast-metal-ship-crest-plaque","provider":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}