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Old Reich
Page 3
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Presentation Statue "Knight of the Crusades" (Item OLD 3-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This very dramatic statue is a presentation gift to a major of the Imperial German Army. The statue depicts an officer knight of the Holy Crusades who holds the "Papel Bull," the order to free the Holy Land from the Saracens. The entire sculpture with base measures 19 inches. The figure itself is a foot high. There is a round, applied, penny-sized plaque that says "R. Belair & Co. Berlin" at the rear of the plinth. The figure seems to be of bronze or possibly European spalta with heavy bronze plating. At the front of the plinth is a round plaque with the Latin legend proclaiming the Pope's order to European chivalry on the wooden base there is a plate that serves the dedication "To Major Kirgau from the officer corps of the Field Artillery Regiment Nr. 71 of the great Kamtur Gründung-Ansläsung." The knight has the crusader cross on his cloak and helmet. This item is historically important both in depiction and in presentation.
PRICE: $ 800.00 |
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Monument to the Liberator (Item OLD 3-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a Hutschenreuther plate made by one of the finest German porcelain companies. The subject is a wonderful artistic rendition of the Hermannsdenkmal in the Teutoberger Forest. This stands there today as a mute, but heroic-looking, edifice to the memory of der Schlagt im Teutobergerwald. In the early part of the first century, Hermann was the earliest historical hero of the Teutonic people. The Romans were threatening to overwhelm the land Germania, but Hermann, or Arminius, as he was known in the writings of Tacitus, was able to draw the tribes together in unity to soundly defeat the legions of the Roman commander Varus. Thus the legions of Hermann fell upon the Romans (20,000) infantry and cavalry and these trained and disciplined troops were utterly destroyed by the barbarian horde who used their native crafts of fighting in their heavily wooded territory. Varus and his senior officers committed suicide. They regretted the long apprenticeship and the tactics learned by this "Arminius" who had once served with distinction in the Roman army. This brilliant tactician had later returned to his people, the Cherusci, and started to plan for the German revolt. The battle ensued for three days and turned out to be Rome's greatest military defeat since the Punic Wars 200 years earlier. For four years after the disastrous battle, according to Roman historians, Emperor Augustus would beat his head on a door crying, "Quintilius Varus, give me back my legions!" Tacitus describes how in the neighboring groves stood the savage alters at which the Germans had immolated captured tribunes and first-rank Centurions, and also mentions the use of gallows used in the disposing of the foot soldiers. This was the way of these Germanic peoples. It was a sacrifice to the gods for their help in the battle and also to hallow the dead of the Teutonic host. This form of offering is specifically dedicated to Odin for victory. This battle had the victorious result of effectively casting the Romans out of Germania and saved central Europe from sharing the fate of the moribund and fateful fall of the Roman Empire. Hermann assuredly was the liberator of Germany (Liberator laud dubic Germaniae). The statue stands in the Teutoberger Forest near the tiny town of Horn and the larger town of Detmold. It is about as large as the American statue of Liberty. Another smaller one is 102 feet tall and stands in Hermann Heights Park in New Ulm, Minnesota and by congressional resolution is recognized as the National German-American Monument; however, the one depicted here on this magnificent plate is the one in the forest of the Teutons. It was designed and built by Ernst von Bandel in 1875. It was erected on the Osning 1,800 feet above sea level. It is truly a monument to the greatest and most heroic of all the Germanic heroes. Twenty million people a year visit this monument. Many souvenirs are sold such as miniature Hermann statues in white metal, plastic buttons, bumper stickers, and for the most popular items it can be said to be souvenir plates, BUT, they are nice but cheaply made with decals; nothing like this ultra-fine depiction on a plate form a major porcelain company. This piece is form the 1930's and is the ultimate remembrance of the liberator that can still be (rarely) found. I have one in my personal collection and this one is only the second one I have seen in 30 years. The plate's diameter is 9 ¼ inches and the picture is under the glaze. The edging is in Prussian gold; absolutely beautiful!
PRICE: $ 225.00 |
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Table Dagger or Tishdolch (Item OLD 3-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is an incredible table dagger or Tishdolch. These were 19th century and earlier dagger productions that were made and merchandized for their incredible beauty alone. They really did not serve any purpose except to lie on an end table or a coffee table and through their wonderful presentation they would generate intellectual discourse. They often would evoke long-forgotten sagas and poems about knights' ladies, dragons, and elves. This one seems to depict a Teutonic Knight of the order with his sword and shield. He may be a crusader as his shield depicts the Christian cross. The sculpture is probably in bronze with silver finish, but one thing is for sure, it's elegantly and wonderfully sculptured with lifelike realistic detail of man and uniform. It is probably from the early 18th century or as late as the mid century. It's 13 ½ inches long and the double blood-grooved blade measures 7 ½ inches. It is a murderous-looking blade that would pierce flesh and bone straight away forthwith! Perhaps that fact generated conversation as well, or perhaps this was kept in the gentleman's drawer for protection while not on display for company night. This is a great historic treasure in wonderful condition overall.
PRICE: $ 1,200.00 |
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Massive Damascus Saber (Item OLD 3-4) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a real treasure, historically speaking. It is not only a pretty and artistically fine weapon, but for a fact, it is a weapon. This is not just one of the dress swords, court swords, presentations, etc. This, rather, is a sword carried and undoubtedly used by one of the swashbuckling cavaliers of Blucher's Black Prussian Legion. The cavalrymen to whom the old marshal referred as "his children" were the elite cavalry troopers who wore the death's head busby and the men who smashed through Napoleon's old guard at Leipzig and Waterloo. It was these Kameraden aus Pferd who heard the clarion call of Blucher when he loudly expressed "Vorwarts!" (forward), "Take no prisoners!" When Bonaparte saw them coming at Waterloo he exclaimed, "I should have burned Berlin to the ground!" The sword was obviously the property of a prestigious and notable officer in that it is obviously a finely constructed piece with a beautiful Damascus blade (wavy pattern). The grain of the Damascus is most difficult to photograph, unfortunately, but it is a very classic example of this high metallic art form. The grip is brass with genuine ivory that is wrapped with brass wire. The cross-guard end is a lion finial. This is a massive sword for those times and very probably was carried and wielded by a Grosse schwarz Hussar mounted on a huge charger of the Prussian Polish breed. This is a true museum piece deserving to be cherished in a fine collection. There is a slight chip at the top of the grip. Casualty of war does not detract from the sheer beauty of this great example of the Solingen sword-makers art. It measures 40 inches long. The blade is 1 ¼ inches wide and 34 inches long. No scabbard.
PRICE: $ 2,450.00 |
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Soldier Image-1870’s (Item OLD 3-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a fine depiction in early photographic mode of a German bandsman in dress uniform; Bavarian or Prussian? It is in nice presentable shape although the numerous age spots do show as you often see on American photo images of this size, especially those of the Civil War period and Indian wars. This is a large item the measures 17 x 23 inches in the frame. The frame is original-wood with a veneered overlay of beautiful burled mahogany. The glass is bubble-bezeled and domed! A rare item of the late 19th century and a great Germanophile background for a Teutonic collection.
PRICE: $ 175.00 |
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Souvenir Purse (Item OLD 3-6; WWI 6-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is unique! A velvet purse that probably was a sweetheart gift that some German Lanser had made in Belgium and brought home while on leave to his wife or girlfriend. It says: "Kriegs Andenven (war souvenir) 1914-1915 Belgien" It has the hand-embroidered German Reich eagle in the center and the flags of the central powers surrounding it. The metal shows some surface rusting through the plating, but the fabric of the purse is in fine condition. This is a very neat little memento of a very tragic war.
PRICE: $ 175.00 |
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18th Century German Hunting Sword (Item OLD 3-7; HUNT 4-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a great historic piece. It’s a Hirshfänger of the style used by Jaeger in the 1700’s. The only decorative part of it is on the top of the stag grip. Here we see the sun symbol or Teutonic rune set into the apex of the handle. Other than this here is a killing tool used very effectively in the hunt. The simple ‘D’ guard of brass is typical. The blade is of the cutlass type with double blood groove. The most interesting thing is the stag handle. It is the most uncomfortable-feeling thing you have ever grabbed. What’s double interesting is that it’s done purposely! The projections emitting from the grip that actually dig into the flesh of the hand are for the purpose of stabilizing the grip of the Jaeger so that when thrust into the wild boar or stag’s body the weapon cannot slip around and the hunter lose the grip. This was an innovation of the Hessian hunters and interestingly enough when they served as mercenaries in foreign lands they often carried their Hirshfängers as hangers in leather scabbards; hanger being a short sword. This piece from grip top to tip of blade is 28 inches long. The blade at its widest point is 1 ¼ inches wide. No scabbard. This is a true museum article.
PRICE: $ 1,500.00 |
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Portrait of a Teutonic Knight (Item OLD 3-8) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a very large, very good rendition of one of the Teutonic knight leaders (“marshal”). These were the noble brotherhood that invaded Russia and other eastern territories. They were founded in 1070. In 1147-1149 was the second crusade in which the knights fought valiantly. This may be a portrayal of Hermann von Salza, the grand master. He was elected in 1210. They fought long and hard against the Muslims and Turks for centuries. They were a brave and noble order and to have this fine portrait featured in a Germanic collection would be an honor, indeed. The painting is fairly new, but accomplished by an astute historically conscious artist who definitely had a great mental picture of the times of high adventure! This is a huge canvas measuring about 4 x 3 ½ feet.
PRICE: $ 350.00 |
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Early Stiletto with Wrestling Theme (Item OLD 3-8a) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This Tishdolch or character dagger is a true museum piece, probably of the early 18th century. The grip is hand carved depicting nude men in a wrestling pose reminiscent of the Grecian Olympics of old. Miraculously, they have been spared the ravages of time and the natural inclination of such items to be broken (especially wood). One will marvel at the fact that the head of the one competitor is still there after all that time. This would say to me that the item was probably treated as a revered museum piece for centuries and given careful stewardship. The blade is in the three-cornered-steel stiletto style done in the finest flowing manner of 18th-century sword smiths. The design is floral, but with battle standards, cannon, and pikes evident. Gold overlay is artfully used in the décor. The cross guard is quite sturdy indicating that the weapon could have actually been used aggressively. The scabbard, instead of using the usual leather is also crafted in wood with throat and boot in brass. The length when in scabbard is 11 inches. The cross guard is 3 inches across. The blade is 6 inches long. This is definitely a museum piece of note. It’s probably of south Tyrolian or northern Italian, but the wood construction suggests a Germanic connotation.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Original Wagnerian Charcoal Etchings (Item OLD 3-9; ART 8-4) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here are two original renderings that may have been for the erection of the Niebelungen Bridge that Adolf Hitler intended to be the model artistic bridge of all time; honoring the opera “Der Ring des Niebelungen” section of “Gotterdammerung” by the immortal Richard Wagner. We say this because the statues depicted stand on architectural plinths. The figures represent Siegfried, the hero, and Brünnhilde, the Walkurie from the aforementioned ring cycle. These are originals (unique) and the detail of anatomy and costume is spectacular. The weapons and shield are authentic to the last detail. The artist who is signed to them is K. Schmide. The Volsang sagas are Germany’s finest legends and are cultural treasures. These are large pieces 19 x 27 inches. The framing is 3 inches thick and the oak-leaf motif is apropos to the period. They have been reframed in Germany with a very special style framing stock used only for very important objects. This framing couldn’t be more typical of the type used in the Third Reich. The oak is the sacred tree of the old German tribesmen and it was especially venerated in the sacred groves and grottos. What could be better used on these Teutonic treasures of the past? These original renderings are a Germanophile’s dream!
PRICE: SOLD |
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| Page Three |
Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
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