Imperial German and Austro-Hungarian Uniform Art, 11 Hand-Painted Plates

$295.00
$295.00

SKU: 12-99


This is an assembled portfolio of eleven original hand-painted military uniform studies depicting officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted men from the Imperial German state armies and the Austro-Hungarian k.u.k. forces. The unsigned drawings are retrospective uniform studies rather than official military plates, and they were probably created during the twentieth century by a collector or military-uniform enthusiast working from period references.

 

Each individual painting measures approximately 8.25 by 11.75 inches and is executed on moderately heavy cream-colored paper. The artist appears to have combined graphite and colored pencil with opaque watercolor or gouache. Metallic gold and silver-colored pigments were applied to helmet fittings, buttons, lace, shoulder insignia, sword furniture, cords, breast devices, and other uniform details. These metallic passages retain a noticeable reflective quality when viewed under changing light.

 

The compositions are presented primarily in profile, allowing the artist to emphasize the features most useful for uniform study: headgear, helmet plates, plumes, chin scales, cockades, collar embroidery, shoulder boards, regimental numerals, tunic colors, piping, aiguillettes, weapons, and rank distinctions. The draughtsmanship is somewhat naïve but deliberate, with careful attention devoted to the complicated heraldic and metallic components of Imperial German parade dress.

 

The sheets are not bound into a conventional album. They are housed loose within a simple marbled-paper board portfolio with a black cloth spine. The portfolio functions as a protective cover rather than as an illustrated or titled book. No artist’s signature, date, publisher, ownership inscription, or documented provenance is present. There is also no evidence establishing whether eleven paintings constituted the artist’s complete original series.

 

The first inscription reads “Leutnant, Pionier-Batl. v. Rauch, Brandenburg. Nr. 3, Spandau,” translated as “Lieutenant, Pioneer Battalion von Rauch, 1st Brandenburg No. 3, Spandau.” The officer is shown in a blue tunic with red piping, silver collar lace, and a numbered shoulder board.

 

A second study is inscribed “Korporal, Fahrende Abt., K.u.K. d. Artillerie,” translated as “Corporal, mounted detachment of the Imperial and Royal artillery.” The abbreviation k.u.k. represents kaiserlich und königlich, or “Imperial and Royal,” the designation used for the common armed forces of Austria-Hungary.

 

The cavalry subjects include “Wachtmeister, Ulanen-Rgt. Kaiser Alexander III., westpr. Nr. 1, Militsch,” translated as “Sergeant Major, Uhlan Regiment Emperor Alexander III of Russia, 1st West Prussian No. 1, Militsch.” The figure wears the regiment’s elaborate parade uniform with a tall Uhlan Tschapka, white plume, blue tunic, contrasting breast panel, rank chevrons, shoulder insignia, sword, and white cross belt.

 

Another sheet is marked “Alexander-Garde-Gren. Rgt. Nr. 1, Berlin,” translated as “Alexander Guards Grenadier Regiment No. 1, Berlin.” It depicts a member of the prestigious Prussian Guard regiment in ceremonial dress, including distinctive tall headgear, blue tunic, red facings, white belt, gold-colored fittings, and edged weapon.

 

The Bavarian study is inscribed “2. Bayr. Jäg. B., Aschaffenburg,” translated as “2nd Bavarian Jäger Battalion, Aschaffenburg.” The figure wears the characteristic light blue Bavarian tunic with green facings, a black crested helmet, gold-colored fittings, and a shoulder device bearing the numeral 2.

 

One especially ornate sheet bears an inscription that appears to read “Prinzen-Adjutanten Sachsen,” translated as “Adjutant to a Saxon prince.” The precise intended office cannot presently be confirmed. The uniform includes a blue coat, richly embroidered collar, gold-colored shoulder cords, a prominent white plume, and extensive metallic detailing consistent with a senior court or royal-house appointment.

 

A Prussian infantry officer is identified in typed lettering as “Grenadier-Rgt. König Friedrich der Große (3. Ostpr.) Nr. 4, Rastenburg. Leutnant,” translated as “Grenadier Regiment King Frederick the Great, 3rd East Prussian No. 4, Rastenburg. Lieutenant.” The portrait emphasizes the regiment’s blue and red cap, embroidered officer’s collar, crowned shoulder-board cipher, and gold-colored buttons.

 

The Saxon light-infantry study reads “Sächs. Schützen-Füs. Rgt. 108, Dresden,” translated as “Saxon Schützen-Füsilier Regiment No. 108, Dresden.” The figure is shown in the regiment’s distinctive dark green uniform with red piping and a red shoulder strap bearing the numeral 108, together with the unusual plumed headgear associated with this Saxon formation.

 

The Austrian cavalry plate is inscribed “K.u.K. Österreichisches Dragoner-Rgt. Nr. 5, Marburg,” translated as “Imperial and Royal Austrian Dragoon Regiment No. 5, Marburg.” It depicts an officer in a light blue tunic with a yellow collar, metallic shoulder cords, silver-colored buttons, and an imposing crested helmet decorated with a large gold-colored comb and eagle device.

 

Another Prussian cavalry subject reads “Dragoner Rgt. Prinz Albrecht v. Pr. (Litth.) Nr. 1, Tilsit. Sergeant,” translated as “Dragoon Regiment Prince Albrecht of Prussia, Lithuanian No. 1, Tilsit. Sergeant.” The figure wears a black Pickelhaube with gold-colored fittings, light blue tunic, red facings, white cross belt, and a shoulder strap displaying the numeral 1.

 

The final cavalry study is marked “Wachtm., Husaren-Rgt. Fürst Blücher v. Wahlstatt (Pommern) Nr. 5, Stolp,” translated as “Sergeant Major, Hussar Regiment Prince Blücher of Wahlstatt, Pomeranian No. 5, Stolp.” The figure is presented in the regiment’s distinctive rose-colored hussar uniform with silver-colored braiding, elaborate collar lace, braided shoulder insignia, and matching peaked cap.

 

Together, the paintings document the exceptional variety of ceremonial dress retained within the armies of Imperial Germany and Austria-Hungary. Although the German Empire was politically unified, the Prussian, Bavarian, Saxon, and other state contingents preserved separate colors, ciphers, helmet forms, regimental traditions, and royal associations. The group is especially useful for studying how branch, state, regiment, rank, and court appointment were communicated through small differences in headgear, lace, facings, shoulder insignia, and metallic ornament.

 

The eleven paintings remain in good collector condition. The paper exhibits general age toning, scattered light spotting, minor edge wear, occasional corner creasing, and small handling marks. Some sheets have light surface scuffs, faint graphite construction lines, minor paint irregularities, and isolated areas of pigment wear. The metallic gold and silver-colored passages remain visually effective, although localized dulling and light abrasion are present. No significant modern restoration is observed.

 

The portfolio cover is considerably more worn than the artwork. Its marbled-paper covering shows broad rubbing, surface loss, wrinkles, edge chipping, exposed board, and rounded or bumped corners. The black cloth spine remains attached but displays wear and slight deformation. The cover should be regarded primarily as the group’s longtime storage portfolio rather than as a finished presentation binding.

 

This unsigned portfolio offers an unusual combination of original military artwork and detailed uniform reference material. Its broad representation of Prussian, Bavarian, Saxon, Pomeranian, Lithuanian, West Prussian, and Austro-Hungarian formations gives the set particular interest for collectors of Imperial German uniforms, regimental history, Pickelhauben, cavalry headgear, military art, and early uniformology.


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