Imperial German Navy Sailor Folk Art on Feather, SMS Condor

This is an original Imperial German Navy sailor-made folk art piece depicting the protected cruiser S.M.S. Condor, executed in watercolor and ink on a natural feather and period-framed behind glass. The ship is rendered in profile with careful attention to hull form, porthole spacing, rigging, masts, and superstructure, and is set against a stylized seascape with layered blue and white wave detail. Beneath the image, the ship’s name is hand-lettered in period ink: “S. M. S. Condor.”

The artwork is mounted on a tan backing paper and housed in a black-painted wooden frame with a gilt inner liner, consistent with late 19th to early 20th century German framing practices for small maritime souvenirs. The feather’s natural curvature and ribbing remain clearly visible, contributing to the dimensional quality and unmistakable sailor-made character of the piece. The composition suggests execution by a trained or semi-trained hand familiar with naval architecture rather than a purely decorative tourist object.

S.M.S. Condor was a Bussard-class unprotected cruiser of the Imperial German Navy, launched in 1891 and primarily employed in overseas service, including extended deployments in East Asia and the Pacific. Vessels of this class were often stationed far from Germany for years at a time, and it was during such postings that sailors frequently produced hand-made souvenirs using available materials. Feather art of this type is strongly associated with long-distance naval service and colonial-era stations, where access to exotic materials and ample idle time encouraged individual craftsmanship.

Imperial German naval feather art is significantly scarcer than comparable paper or postcard souvenirs, as these pieces were fragile, personal, and rarely preserved. Surviving examples with identifiable ships are particularly desirable, and named depictions of specific vessels such as Condor are seldom encountered. The combination of a clearly legible ship name, coherent naval detail, and intact period framing places this piece well above the more common anonymous sailor artworks.

Condition is very good for its type. The feather shows expected age-related fragility with minor edge losses and small surface disruptions, consistent with organic material over a century old. The painted surface remains largely intact with strong contrast and legible detail. The backing paper shows light toning, and the frame exhibits minor wear, scuffing, and small losses to the black finish, all commensurate with age. No modern repairs or alterations are observed.

Measures 9 inches x 4 Inches

This is an evocative and highly personal Imperial German Navy artifact, offering direct insight into sailor life, shipboard identity, and maritime folk traditions of the Kaiserliche Marine. It would display exceptionally well alongside naval photographs, ship postcards, or other overseas service memorabilia.