|
|
|
|
Kaiser Wilhelm II Cufflink Set & Other
Kaiserliche Hohenzollern Items
|
|
Page 8
| ||||||
|
The Personal Jeweled Cufflinks of Kaiser Wilhelm II (Item WILHELM 8-1; KJEWELERY 2-2) |
||||||
| DESCRIPTION: Here is one of the greatest German Imperial items we have ever offered or ever heard of being offered. This is the personal pair of cufflinks of Germany's most colorful emperor, Wilhelm II (1859-1941), who became Germany's Emperor and King of Prussia upon the death of his father Emperor Friedrich III. This must surely be the finest set of bejeweled cufflinks in the world. Mr. Eugene R. Klompus, who is President Emeritus and founder of the National Cufflink Society, researched this wonderful set and concluded that they are a one-of-a-kind item and handcrafted during the period 1910-1915. The stones, their shape, style, and mounting design, and particularly the gothic accents are suggestive of the very highest quality German manufacture. Most noteworthy, the configuration of sparkling stones (diamonds and emeralds) is classic Wilhelm! Mr. Klompus continues to say that the cufflinks are indeed a rare and high-quality set that were most likely commissioned by the Kaiser himself, or gifted to him. The Kaiser was known to have a strong appreciation for jewelry. He was especially fond of precious metal and sparkling stones. He loved cufflinks and historians believe that his attraction to this particular male adornment was acquired from his first cousin, Tsar Nicholas II, of Russia. The latter was a lifelong cufflink collector and aficionado. In fact, Nicholas II, an amateur artist, maintained an album in which he hand painted each of the cufflinks and other jewelry in his collection Most entries included a description of the item, date of acquisition, source, and an inventory. Many of the cufflinks in the Tsar's album include the Royal Crown of Russia or a foreign crown in their design. Most interesting is a pair numbered '274,' which includes a crown of the Prussian style and a bejeweled initial 'W' and an acquisition date of 1908 and these bear a solid resemblance to this pair that we offer. Even more important is that the commentary states that the links were a 1908 Christmas gift from Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany. Although very beautiful, they are not quite as elaborate as our. Another pair noted in the Tsar's album, no. 301, also depicts a 'W' and a crown theme and Nicholas' notation that it was "from Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, May 1913." We have photocopies from The Jewel Album of Tsar Nicholas II, by Alexander Sulodkoff--Ermitage London, 1997, and from "The Link" which is a quarterly publication of the National Cufflink Society in various editions 1992-1999. There have been other examples of Kaiser Wilhelm's cufflinks that have surfaced over the years and is assumed that most of them have been gifts to other monarchs such as the Tsar or other aristocratic persons. Some are quite plain in silver or gold bearing the Wilhelm crown and 'W,' but none can compare with this set (not even close). The familiar Prussian crown and the 'W' are heavily jeweled with diamonds and emeralds, while the outer edges are decorated with alternating black-and-white enameled panels. These, of course, are the colors of the Prussian state and the Hohenzollern Dynasty. The hardware appears to be gold. They come to us by way of a gentleman from an aristocratic family in Virginia, whose great uncle after graduation from Yale traveled throughout Germany and obviously had some very high-placed connections, all of which have hot been fully revealed to us. Years after the death of this uncle, the cufflinks and some other Kaiser-connected items were bequeathed to the man we have received them from who is not by nature a collector and wants to see them added to the possession of someone who will truly appreciate them for their magnificent beauty and historical importance. There could be, I suppose, more important Hohenzollern items available somewhere, but I just can't for the moment think of where. We at Germania are proud as peacocks to be able to feature these on our pages.
PRICE: Sold |
| ||||||||||||
|
Art Spoon Set; the Kaiser and Kaiserin (Item WILHELM 8-2; SPOONS 1-1) |
||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION: Here in imperial glory are the depictions of Kaiser Wilhelm II, 1859-1941, and his wife, the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, 1858-1921. The royal pair is depicted in the finest of miniaturist excellence. These pieces were the best of a 50-year-old collection of art spoons by a German collector in Frankfurt. Germania managed to buy this collection after 3 years of negotiation. The pieces are to be seen throughout our Kaiserreich section. The best of all to be presented to the collectors is this set of Kaiser and Kaiserin. Kaiserin is the female equivalent of Kaiser. Where Kaiser is emperor, Kaiserin is empress. The spoons are entirely hand painted in the world-famous miniaturist style that was at its height of popularity in the 1880s and ‘90s. Under magnification one can see the brushstrokes. It is hardly likely that there exists an artist that could duplicate this lost technique. The paintings look as though they could breathe. The Kaiser has his upturned mustache prominent. It was commonly said that this mustache was likened to “a declaration of war!” The Kaiserin’s picture is reflective of the quiet, noble charm and dignity of the Prussian first lady that she was. In this portrait there are some very tiny chips in the right edge, but only discernable under magnification. The portraits themselves are not the only precious item here. The finial is decorated with the great German eagle with the Hohenzollern crown; all appropriately enameled. Below this the upper body of the spoon is also finely enameled. The pieces are in ‘800’ silver and so stamped with the half moon and crown at the top. The length is about 5 1/4 long and is in perfect condition except for the minor chips mentioned in the Kaiserin piece. Here is excellence personified in this historically important works of art. Sold only as a set.
PRICE: $985.00; for the set |
| |||||||||||||
|
Art Spoon Depicting Kaiser Wilhelm II) (Item WILHELM 8-2a; SPOONS 1-2a; ) |
|||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION: This is one of the art spoons that was part of a great collection that we acquired in Germany recently. The artists who specialized in the painting of these spoons often worked for several companies that made the spoons. So, in this case, you see the same design and description as the other one that you will see in another description. The painting is almost the same as the other, but with small differences, of course, but this was the specialty of this artist. As for the unique design of the rest of the spoon there is a completely different look and structure. This one has a bright ivory-white background where the other has a tea-green hue. The face is quite more enlarged and the eagle motif at the finial is completely different. This one is in cutout relief that is beautifully enameled and the word ‘Berlin’ is found in an enameled box. The half crown, moon, and the ‘800’ silver designator is seen at the backside of the imperial eagle. Part of the shaft or stem of the spoon is enameled, as well. The length is practically 5 1/2 inches. The condition is perfect, except for two tiny chips in the forehead of the Kaiser; not very noticeable except under magnification. This does not really detract from what is obviously a wonderful work of a masterful artist.
PRICE: $450.00 |
| ||||||||||||||
|
Art Spoon Depicting the Crown Prince (Item WILHELM 8-3; SPOONS 1-2) |
||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION: This beautiful art spoon is part of a great collection of similar treasures that we recently acquired in Germany. See the Kaiser spoon above. This is a magnificent depiction of the Prussian Crown Prince Frederick Wilhelm Viktor August Ernst von Hohenzollern, 1882-1951. He was the last crown prince of the kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire, and the eldest son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, 1859-1941, and his wife Augusta Victoria. Called Unser Willi by his adoring German public, he could be called a genuine war hero and a dashing ladies’ man. He was a widely acknowledged playboy much to the chagrin of his staunch Protestant father. He went into exile with his father after the tragic war ended, but in 1923 returned to Germany. He joined the NSDAP not as a member, but as supporter. He aided Hitler in various symbolic actions. The painting is completely hand accomplished in the finest tradition and skill of a master miniaturist, an art long ago lost or so it would seem. We present several of the best of the examples of the collection we purchased. This is one of the “best of the best.” The prince is depicted in the snappy-looking uniform of the elite Leib Hussar Regiment, although in WWI he was the commanding officer of the entire 5th Army. The portrait in miniature accurately shows some of his medals and orders in exquisite detail. This is a mini masterpiece. At the finial or top is a beautiful enameled design of the imperial eagle of the Hohenzollern dynasty surrounded by the crown of Prussia with imperial drapes drawn to reveal the symbol crafted in genuine ‘800’ silver with company logo stamped onto the body. This is a wonderful remembrance of an infinitely nobler era of refinement and culture. At the turn of the 19th century, spoon art was highly sought after and its price especially for a master work such as this was high. Collectors in all of Europe and the United States were quite keen to acquire such an art treasure and of course it is even today part of the chosen collecting mode of the true art connoisseur.
PRICE: $498.00 |
| ||||||||||||
|
Art Spoon Depiction of Kaiser Wilhelm I (Item WILHELM 8-4; SPOONS 1-3) |
||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION: Here is an utterly magnificent hand-painted bust portrait of Kaiser Wilhelm I, King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany, 1797-1888, of the house of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia 1861 to 1888. He was the first German emperor from 1871-1888. He and his prime minister, Otto von Bismarck, achieved the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire. Called the “soldier king or warrior king,” he was in one German war after another culminating in the sound defeat of the French in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. His saga and glories can be viewed online in many sites so we won’t go into all the history at this point. Suffice to say that this was a man that the Germans would describe as “Eine enormen,” “giant of empire.” The king is depicted in full martial uniform with all of his medals and orders finely executed as only a master miniaturist could possibly do. The figure is so lifelike you would expect it to breath. For more details about our acquisition of these magnificent gems of Germanic culture read about in our other narrations about the Wilhelm and Crown Prince Wilhelm description above. The spoon is about 5 inches long in genuine ‘800’ silver and is so marked. The top contains the same Prussian eagle as the one of the spoon depicting the crown prince.
PRICE: $495.00 |
| ||||||||||||
|
Art Spoon of Kaiser Wilhelm II (miniature portrait) (Item WILHELM 8-5; SPOONS 1-7) |
||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION: Here is a fantastic artistic depiction of Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II, King of Prussia, and Emperor of Germany, 1859-1941. This is the masterful rendering of a skilled miniaturist of the period (1890s). The Kaiser is wonderfully depicted in his resplendent uniform with all of his medals and orders. His great, upturned mustache is evident. This was likened by his detractors as a “declaration of war in itself;” how unkind! The spoon is a little over 5 inches long. It is, naturally, in ‘800’ silver (gilted). It bears all the obligatory maker’s marks. At the top is a round panel containing the Hohenzollern eagle with imperial bow around it and is supported by palm leaves. The fine enameling is seen not only in the portrait, but also in the spoon’s body. This is the finest miniature portrait that we have ever seen. The brush strokes are evident only under magnification. This is a stunning portrait of a noble gentleman much misunderstood, but now when all of the particular time is historically revealed under intense revisionism he looms as a great figure of the European saga; regal, but ill advised; noble, but betrayed.
PRICE: $495.00 |
| ||||||
|
Studio Portrait of the German Kaiser, Wilhelm II (Item WILHELM 8-6) |
||||||
| DESCRIPTION: This image is taken by the photographer Alfred Kühlewindt, who was an official photographer to the Hohenzollern Palace. It’s a great one of Wilhelm at field maneuvers standing in front of battle maps on a stand while looking over the field with binoculars. It is large as these images go—5 x 9 inches—and is on the hard card stock. Wilhelm wears his spiked helmet and all his medals and orders and carries his ever-present sword. On the back is lots of information about other state portraits that this photographer had produced (other personages of royalty). This is a rather rare image and a great addition to an imperial collection.
PRICE: $175.00 |
| |||
|
Sons and Daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II (Item WILHELM 8-7) |
|||
| DESCRIPTION: This is a great family portrait of the six sons and daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The boys are shown in military uniform, while the sweet, little girl, Princess Viktoria Luise, is shown in typical Victorian dress. She is the special feature of this special image card and her picture is displayed framed by sunlight because her father, German Emperor William II, so often described her as the “light of my life.” The Kaiser had a beautiful lady as his wife and a beautiful family of children, indeed.
PRICE: $90.00 |
| ||
|
Period Photograph of the Kaiser and his Family (Item WILHELM 8-8) |
||
| DESCRIPTION: Here is a photograph of Kaiser Wilhelm’s six sons, the princess, and the Kaiserin. All the boys are pictured in sailor suits, although only Prince Adelbert, later, followed a naval career. This 4 1/4 x 6 1/2-inch studio portrait is on the hard card stock and is marked “ORIGINAL AUFNAME” by the Hofphotogr. J.C. Schaar-Wächter in Berlin. “Hofphtogr.” is an abbreviation for a word meaning ‘official photographer to the Palace.’ This is a very nice sharp image and quite charming of the first family of the Reich. From birth William had a crippled left arm, but he had enormous energy and as a schoolboy took the motto "If I rest, I rust." No one was meant to see this hand.; it was either covered by a glove, or arranged to be covered by a portépée, cap, or even with his other hand folded over it. Here is rare image showing Wilhelm's infirm hand.
PRICE: $125.00 |
| ||
|
Commemorative Kaiser Wilhelm Medal (Item WILHELM 8-9) |
||
| DESCRIPTION: Here is a fine bronze medal depicting Kaiser Wilhelm II. Around the portrait it says: “Wilhelm II, German Emperor.” On the back is the Iron Cross and the dates ‘1813-1913.’ This is to commemorate 100 years since the major battle to defeat Napoleon. A beautiful strand of oak leaves is seen here, also. The medal is the size of U.S. early silver dollar and is in heavy bronze.
PRICE: $90.00 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Dinner Plates from the Kaiser’s Personal Table Service (Item WILHELM 8-10; KGLASS 2-10) |
||||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION: Here are three pieces of the high-dinner service of Kaiser Wilhelm II. They are either from the royal Hohenzollern palace at Potsdam, or Berlin. In several books on the Prussian Kaiser this pattern is shown. It was his favorite because it was virtually the same pattern used by his illustrious ancestor Frederick II, who reigned from 1740-1786. He was known as Frederick the Great and more affectionately as “Der Alte Fritz,” “the old Fritz.” Wilhelm II even relished dressing up like Frederick and sponsoring 18th-century flute concerts at the Potsdam palace. Frederick was beloved by the German people as well and was considered a military genius. Napoleon visited Frederick’s grave at Potsdam and remarked to his officers: “Gentlemen, if this man were still alive I would not be here.” The plates bear the eagle that has come to be known as “der Friedrichadler,” or “the Frederick eagle.” The rest of the design is rococo style in vibrant orangish-red hue. The eagle design is overlay gold gilting as are the edge designs. This is almost iridescent and very beautiful. The plates are 9 3/4 inches in diameter. There are two plates and a bowl that are identical except that the bowl is slightly deeper. The Prussian Hohenzollern crown is seen at the top of the eagle design and the eagle has the “F R” for “Frederick Rules” in the center of his chest. This symbol and the scepter and orb in his claws are highlighted also in gold gilting. The rose pattern is just gorgeous in three places. On the back of each piece is the mark of the scepter of royalty which is the mark of KPM (Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur), the king’s royal porcelain manufactory. This is in blue underglaze. The other mark is the orb in a reddish hue in the underglaze. The most important mark that is seen in these particular pieces is the one at the top; the one in blue underglaze. This mark is the largest of the three marks and it incorporates the Hohenzollern crown, and superimposed beneath is the “WR” for the reign of Wilhelm II. This mark is found only on pieces that were made for the royal court of the Hohenzollern kings and emperors. Each of the pieces has a date below this which might indicate the years that the particular pieces were ordered or added. The bowl is dated 1888, one of the dishes is dated 1897, while the other is dated 1901. KPM was and is the most prestigious porcelain company in the world. The firm was created by Frederick the Great in September of 1763, and it soon forged ahead and even left the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory in the dust. During the Kaiser Reich and even the Third Reich, KPM was the choice of all the important leaders when they “cared enough to send the very best.” Certainly these “Wilhelmesque” dishes are exactly that—the best! They’re extremely rare, but are being offered at extremely reasonable prices.
PRICE: Plates $2,250.00; for bowls $2,250.00 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Kaiser Staff Car (Item WILHELM 8-11; KTOY 1-7) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION: We at Germania try always to handle only 100-percent-original items, but once in a while there comes along an item that thrills us for its beauty. This is a new but accurate portrayal of historically important events, or equally important items of connected importance to our agenda of bringing you the best! So when we saw an opportunity to offer this wonderful Kaiser Wilhelm staff car we just couldn’t let it go by. The intense detail is amazing in this little auto model. It’s a handsome open-topped automobile and it’s complete with military driver and military police bodyguard. It absolutely is of the highest quality available. It is die cast and the length of the car is 6 inches. Along with this group mentioned we offer the Kaiser’s Aide de Camp, the Crown Prince “Little Willie.” He is dressed as an honorary colonel of the Lifeguard Cavalry Regiment. There is also a standing German rifleman who looks like he is about to be inspected or on guard duty and last, but certainly not least, Kaiser Wilhelm dressed immaculately in his field marshal’s uniform surveying his troops.
PRICE: $328.00; sold as a set |
| |||||
|
Patriotic Bedspread and Pillowcases (Item WILHELM 8-12; KCLOTH 2-1) |
|||||
| DESCRIPTION: Here is something great when it comes to unusual and beautiful. It is a bedspread and matching pillowcases that once graced the bedchamber of some landsman or Frau, who was ultrapatriotic to the Fatherland. The bedspread is 5 feet long by 68 inches wide, and the two matching pillowcases measure 18 x 13 inches each. The Prussian eagle and a bust patriot of Kaiser Wilhelm are shown throughout the checkerboard pattern. It is absolutely stunning and in beautiful shape. Imagine your Germanophile bedroom setting with your bed made up with these absolutely beautiful household appurtenances. This is Teutonic greatness personified.
PRICE: $495.00; for the set |
| |||||||||||||||
|
Kaiser Wilhelm II's Personal Cufflinks by the Royal House Jeweler Sy & Wagner in Original Presentation Case (Item WILHELM 8-13; KJEWELRY 3-15; SPECIAL ITEMS) |
|||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION: At this time, we are extremely proud to present and offer the greatest royal article that we have ever handled. It is is a set of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s personal cufflinks. They were produced by the greatest Prussian royal house jewelers, Berlin’s famed firm of Sy & Wagner. This illustrious corporation was known for producing many high-end Imperial German orders and decorations, and even more importantly, superb jewelry for the German Empire’s royal houses. The cufflinks are housed in an equally splendid Sy & Wagner presentation case. (PLEASE NOTE: During the Imperial German era, cufflinks were the preferred method for securing a gentleman’s shirt cuffs, and the higher one's station in life—particularly when attended by great wealth—the more elaborate the cufflinks.) No Imperial German personage held a more exalted position than Kaiser Wilhelm II, and he certainly spared no expense in surrounding himself with that position’s regal trappings. Sy & Wagner was the producer of the famed very special naval dagger that the exceedingly proud Kaiser presented to his son, Prince Adalbert, as the young man entered the Kaiserliche Imperial Marine. Let's stop here and consider these magnificent cufflinks. An irregular gold band frames the interior of each one’s obverse. (AGAIN, PLEASE NOTE: We are speaking of 14K gold, here. A higher gold content displays a much brighter shade of the precious metal, although the 14K gold section of the cufflinks reveals an extremely attractive patina.) The handsome blue-enamel surfaces contained within the cufflinks’ borders are embedded with sublimated rays that sparkle like moonlight on the ocean. Wilhelm II’s royal cypher is featured against the enamel background beneath a gold Hohenzollern crown. A small, cut diamond serves as the "W"’s focal point. (We at Germania International are no gemologist, but the diamond appears to be of very high quality). Each cufflink’s reverse is also made of gold. Both have short, gold chains attached to their reverses. Also, each one sports a small, gold crossbar for securing it through each shirt cuff’s buttonhole. The cufflink set's presentation case measures 3 inches by 2 inches across the top and is about 1 inch deep. It boasts a majestic, royal-purple, velvet cover, whose center lid displays a gold Hohenzollern crown. Inside, the case’s upper half is lined with luxurious white silk that has been handsomely embossed with the following information. (Beneath the image of a crown [probably Prussian, as it is NOT a Hohenzollern crown], is the following manufacturer’s information. SY&WAGNER Königl. Hofgoldschmiede BERLIN W. 7.WERDERSTR.7. FABRIK BRÜDERSTR. 2 PRICE: SOLD |
| Page Eight |
Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
Please E-mail for any additional information you may need.If you prefer, contact 'Germania' at PO Box 68, Lakemont, GA 30552
or call at 706.782.1668 or 706.782.4398.
Please! do not call during the wee hours of the morning. The best time for calling us is between 9 and 11 am and between 9 and 11 pm eastern time.