{"product_id":"german-imperial-navy-s-m-s-kaiserin-augusta-newport-metal-wall-plaque","title":"German Imperial Navy S.M.S. Kaiserin Augusta Newport Metal Wall Plaque","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA colorful decorative metal wall plaque reproducing a historical Imperial German maritime illustration entitled \"Kaiserin Augusta verläßt Newport\" (Kaiserin Augusta Departs Newport). The composition depicts the German protected cruiser S.M.S. Kaiserin Augusta departing a busy harbor, surrounded by merchant vessels, smaller steamships, maritime activity, and the flags of Imperial Germany.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe plaque celebrates the international presence of the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy) during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II, when Germany's growing fleet became an important symbol of the nation's industrial development, overseas interests, and expanding maritime influence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe principal vessel is presented prominently in the foreground, her white hull decorated with ornamental gold detailing near the bow. Two tall funnels rise above her decks, accompanied by masts, rigging, ventilators, and other fittings characteristic of late nineteenth-century steam-powered warships. Small figures are depicted along the vessel's decks, reinforcing the impression of a ceremonial departure or formal naval visit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cruiser is shown passing through dark blue-green harbor waters, with the artist carefully rendering the movement of the waves and the reflections of sunlight across their surface. A prominent navigational buoy occupies the left foreground, while additional vessels, harbor structures, and maritime activity extend into the distance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehind the departing cruiser stands a large monument or statue, illuminated by an exaggerated burst of sunlight. This dramatic feature provides a focal point for the composition and contributes to the celebratory character of the artwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the upper right appear two Imperial German flags, including a naval ensign displaying the characteristic black Prussian eagle and the black, white, and red national colors of the German Empire. Their inclusion emphasizes the naval and patriotic character of the original illustration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe inscription across the upper left reads \"Kaiserin Augusta verläßt Newport.\" The English translation is \"Kaiserin Augusta Departs Newport.\" The wording identifies the cruiser rather than Empress Augusta personally. The exact date and circumstances of the depicted departure have not been established.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe illustration is reproduced in full color, with a palette of pale blue, turquoise, cream, gold, black, and white. The warm yellow border provides a contrasting frame around the maritime scene, while a narrow white inner line separates the printed artwork from the outer edge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe plaque measures approximately 11 1\/2 inches in width. Its rectangular format and shallow metal construction make it suitable for wall display in a study, naval collection, library, or historical-themed interior.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe front is printed on a formed metal panel with rounded corners and a raised peripheral border. The reverse features a gold-colored metallic surface with an embossed impression of the principal ship, harbor scenery, and surrounding water. This relief results from the formed construction of the plaque and is not a separately applied decorative casting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe rear edges retain portions of a modern protective or manufacturing film bearing printed production-color markings. The construction indicates that the plaque is a later decorative reproduction of historical artwork rather than an origina\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003el Imperial-period naval artifact. Its exact manufacturer and date of production have not been established.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe historical subject of this plaque is S.M.S. Kaiserin Augusta, a distinctive protected cruiser of the Imperial German Navy. Named in honor of Empress Augusta, wife of Kaiser Wilhelm I, the vessel was constructed at Germaniawerft in Kiel and launched on January 15, 1892.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKaiserin Augusta represented an important stage in German naval engineering. She was fitted with three propeller shafts, an innovative arrangement intended to provide greater speed and flexibility in propulsion. With a maximum speed exceeding 20 knots, the cruiser was designed to undertake reconnaissance duties and operate over considerable distances in support of German naval interests.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe vessel entered service in November 1892 and soon participated in overseas activities that demonstrated Germany's growing international ambitions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of her earliest notable voyages occurred in 1893, when Kaiserin Augusta traveled across the Atlantic to participate in naval celebrations associated with the four-hundredth anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas. She joined an international gathering of warships in the United States, reflecting the importance of naval diplomacy during an era of increasing global competition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cruiser's subsequent career included service in European waters and overseas deployments. During the late 1890s, Kaiserin Augusta was assigned to the German East Asia Squadron, operating in waters of particular importance to Germany's commercial and colonial interests.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ship's presence in East Asia coincided with Germany's acquisition of Kiautschou Bay and the development of Tsingtau as a major German naval station. During the Boxer Uprising of 1900, German naval forces, including personnel from Kaiserin Augusta, participated in operations associated with the international intervention in China.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, developments in naval technology had rendered the cruiser obsolete for frontline service. She was subsequently employed in training duties before being withdrawn from service and eventually broken up in 1920.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe maritime scene reproduced on this plaque evokes an earlier period in the cruiser's career, when visits by German warships to foreign ports were important expressions of naval diplomacy and national prestige.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrated naval scenes were particularly popular in Imperial Germany. Postcards, lithographs, commemorative prints, and other decorative objects frequently portrayed German warships entering or leaving foreign harbors, often accompanied by national flags and patriotic symbols.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuch images reflected public enthusiasm for the expanding German fleet and served to commemorate the activities of individual vessels whose voyages carried the Imperial flag far beyond European waters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe present plaque preserves this tradition through a later decorative reproduction of a historical maritime illustration. Although it is not itself a period artifact, its subject remains of interest to collectors of German naval history and enthusiasts of nineteenth-century steam-powered warships.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe plaque remains in very good overall decorative condition. The colorful printed surface retains strong definition, particularly in the ship's rigging, funnels, flags, harbor scenery, and water reflections. The yellow border remains bright, with minor surface wear and small marks consistent with handling and display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe edges and rounded corners exhibit slight wear, while the reverse shows scattered surface impressions and minor irregularities associated with its formed metal construction. The reverse also retains portions of manufacturing material along the edges.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe complete maritime composition remains attractive and suitable for display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor collectors of Imperial German naval memorabilia, S.M.S. Kaiserin Augusta material, maritime artwork, and German historical decorative objects, this plaque offers an engaging representation of Germany's naval expansion during the Wilhelmine period. Its colorful composition, identifiable warship, and distinctive harbor setting make it an appealing display piece celebrating the history of the Kaiserliche Marine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51041327382767,"sku":"20-338","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/9169\/5855\/files\/IMG_9812.jpg?v=1791929037","url":"https:\/\/derrittmeister.com\/products\/german-imperial-navy-s-m-s-kaiserin-augusta-newport-metal-wall-plaque","provider":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}