Imperial German double-sided photo pendant – officer and woman, early 20th century

A beautiful and deeply personal Imperial German photo pendant, featuring portraits on both sides: a uniformed officer and a woman, very likely his wife or mother. This rare double-sided design captures the emotional bond of family and service, offering a truly intimate artifact of Germany’s pre-WWI or WWI era.

Historical context

Photo jewelry was a popular tradition across Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, serving as keepsakes and tokens of affection. In Germany, these pieces were especially meaningful during the Imperial period and WWI, when soldiers’ portraits were exchanged with loved ones as mementos of service and devotion.

This example is particularly striking for its double-sided construction, which allowed the wearer to carry both images—a clear testament to the emotional weight of separation during military service. The officer’s portrait shows him in a light-toned dress tunic with high stand collar and shoulder boards, while the reverse holds the image of a woman in civilian attire.

Physical description

• Type: Double-sided photo locket or pendant

• Medium: Sepia-tone studio photographs under convex glass

• Frame: Decorative cast metal with floral/scrollwork edging and integral hanging loop at top

• Size: Approx. 1–1.25 inches across (please confirm exact dimensions)

• Portrait 1: Imperial German officer with stand collar, shoulder boards, and classic military mustache, dating c. 1900–1914

• Portrait 2: Woman with carefully arranged hair and formal blouse, likely wife or mother

Condition

Very good original condition. Both photographs are clear, with light age toning. Glass covers remain intact with no cracks. Metal frame retains aged patina with some mild tarnish, typical for 100+ years. Original hanging loop is intact.

Provenance

Private U.S. collection of Imperial German personal militaria. A genuine period piece—not a modern reproduction.