Der
Rittmeister Militaria, LLC. Imperial German Merchandise Page 26: Bronzes, Busts, Statues, and Figurines.
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Bronzes & Statues
26-16 PRESENTATION BRONZE - KAISER WILHELM II - UNIFORM - GROßADMIRAL - ADMIR
AL FREDERICK von INGENOHL. Bronzes of Kaiser Wilhelm II are extremely popular with collectors. These bronzes come in a variety of sizes and different quality levels. Even modest households in Germany usually displayed a small bronze of the Kaiser. At the other extreme were the massive pieces commissioned by the Kaiser himself. They were produced and given as gifts for special services to the Kaiser and the Reich. These often ranged to 20" in height and exceeded 20+ lbs.! They were never produced in great quantities. Most of them featured the Kaiser wearing an army regimental uniform. One should remember, however, that Wilhelm II was a Navy man at heart. He really savored his role as Großadmiral in the Kaiserliche Marine. As with ANY area of collecting, we ALWAYS find that naval items are fewer in number. It does not matter whether it is wound badges, qualification badges, uniforms, or whatever; navy items are ALWAYS harder to find. Our featured item brings this scarcity home with a resounding bang. As rare as are these presentation bronzes of Wilhelm II, the number of them with a naval theme is minuscule. We recently readjusted our focus in this area of merchandise. Although we have offered busts of German royalty and military commanders for years, now we are searching for rarer pieces. I do not use the term "museum piece" or "museum quality" lightly. Applying either in this case does not represent an overstatement. What we offer today is a massive, beautifully constructed, special presentation bronze of Kaiser Wilhelm II in the uniform of a Großadmiral. That alone makes it a very rare piece. In addition, it was a special presentation piece given by a grateful Kaiser to Admiral Friederick von Ingenohl. Frederick von Ingenohl (1857-1933) first joined the Imperial German Navy in 1874 at the age of seventeen. He served in many commands, then ultimately was appointed to command the High Seas Fleet in 1913. He was, in fact, its commander at the outbreak of WW I. Although aggressive by nature, Ingenohl was never able to fully implement his plans for his fleet. This was due in part to a lack of support from the Kaiser himself, who did not want to risk his fleet, and from interference by the German Admiralty. Alfred von Tirpitz was one of his biggest opponents. After a whispering campaign to the Kaiser, von Ingenohl was replaced in February 1915. This bronze was presented to von Ingenohl in
April 1914 on the occasion of his 40th year of service in the Navy. This imposing bronze measures some 20" in height and weighs more than twenty-two lbs. The bronze has a marble base (dark green and white) and a matching circular extension to which the waist-high likeness of Kaiser Wilhelm II is attached. This stunningly beautiful likeness shows the Kaiser in the full-dress uniform of a Großadmiral. Wilhelm is wearing his fore and aft cap and grasps a telescope in his right hand. Attached to the circular marble extension is a dedication plaque, which states "Meinem leiben Ingenohl 12 April 1914 Wilhelm." Topping this beautifully patinaed plaque is a superb Hohenzollern Crown. This massive bronze was the work of the noted sculptor, Otto Rohloff. Rohloffs signature appears on the reverse of the bronze. I am so excited to present this naval-themed bronze to you today. I hope that each of you will read this description in detail and look closely at the attached photographs. All of the items we offer have history attached to some degree or another. This is a slice of history at its best, as a king acknowledges the contributions of his loyal subject in a most effuse and generous manner. $9,995.00
26-14 BRONZE - HAND - BATON - GENERALFELDMARSCHALL PAUL von HINDENBURG. This exciting item represents the first of a new line we will be offering at Der Rittmeister Militaria. While we have dealt in the various forms of classic militaria for years, we now want to explore Imperial German martial artwork in greater depth. This will include bronzes, paintings, and other objets dart. Our first offering is a very rare bronze representing the hand and marschalls baton of Generalfeldmarschall Paul von Hindenburg. Arguably, von Hindenburg was the best-known and most respected, in Germany, of its field commanders. When the war began in 1914, he was retired. He was called back to service and given command of German armies in the East. It was here that he was first teamed with General Erich Ludendorff. Together they achieved a wonderful victory at Tannenberg in Eastern Prussia. This proved to be one of the greatest military victories of WW I. In this battle an outnumbered German Army outmaneuvered the Russians, then dealt them a crushing defeat. For this victory, honors were heaped on von Hindenburg, including the rank of Generalfeldmarschall. From that point forward von Hindenburg and Ludendorff acted as one during the rest of WW I. It is also while he commanded the armies in the East that we are brought to the story behind this historically important bronze we are offering. Throughout the war, Kaiser Wilhelm II was much involved in the military affairs of his armies. He fancied himself a military strategist (much as did a certain Bavarian corporal with HIS armies during WW II)! The Kaiser was constantly involved in the smallest issues. It seems he felt that he needed some army units from von Hindenburgs command for the West and arranged for their transfer. Von Hindenburg was a strong willed man in his own right and protested this vehemently. Wilhelm II turned a deaf ear to these protestations. Von Hindenburg then dispatched a major from his staff to Berlin. The major, at von Hindenburgs behest, went to Kaiser Wilhelm IIs wife, the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria. As one might expect, this did not sit well with the Kaiser! It was certainly a time when the messenger was blamed for his message. The major was removed from von Hindenburgs staff. Although he may not have spent the rest of the war peeling potatoes in the hinterlands, he was sent somewhere much less important than being on von Hindenburgs staff! Again, if von Hindenburg had been unhappy when his units were taken away from him, he was even less pleased when his staffer was transferred as well. Thus began a period of very cool relations between von Hindenburg and the Kaiser. The Kaiserin tried to patch things up between the two men. As a part of that effort she commissioned the well-known sculptor professor Stanislaus Cauer to make a bronze showing a hand laid horizontally on a platform holding a generalfeldmarschalls baton. At some point in 1915 von Hindenburg, in his own attempt to reconcile with his Kaiser, commissioned a similar bronze. It had some differences. While the first bronze showed the hand and baton in a horizontal position, the von Hindenburg version was vertical. The one of the copies of the latter is what we are offering to you. The arm serves as the base. The generalfeldmarschalls baton is clutched in the air by a right hand with a wedding ring on the ring finger. The detail to the baton is remarkable. It looks like the scale of the hand and baton are just about correct for an actual hand and baton. The sides of the baton are covered with alternating rows of Hohenzollern Eagles and Crowns. On the underneath of the arm is covered by the engraving of the presentation for this piece. This particular example was the one presented to von Hindenburgs trusted deputy, Generalleutnant Erich Ludendorff. The engraving reads as follows: "Meinem Generalstabschef Gen. Lt. Ludendorff von Hindenburg 9 April 1915 Lötzen." As you will note from the attached photos of the base, the signature of von Hindenburg correctly recreates HIS signature! Also on the base is the signature of the artist Professor Stanislaus Cauer, who was the artist of the first bronze. Cauer was a premiere artist in Germany when it came to the design and manufacture of bronzes for royalty and the military. This information is contained in a recently released book on the history of the batons of generalfeldmarschalls and großadmirals. This book is "Mythos Marschallstab der Marschallstab in der Preußischen und Deutschen Geshichte von 1852 bis 1945" by André Stirenberg, copyright 2004, H. M. Hauschild Gmbh, Bremen. This interesting book follows the development and the differences in the batons carried by generalfeldmarschalls and großadmirals. The information, which will be shipped with this bronze, appears on pages 124 and 125. The bronze stands 11 3/4" at its tallest point. The section of arm to the knuckle of the index hand is 9." The overall length of the generalfeldmarschalls baton is 12 1/4." It weighs 4 pounds, 14 ½ ounces. It is my understanding that three to five of these were created. This example was acquired indirectly from the widow of General Ludendorff. [As an aside, and to show the importance and respect given to Ludendorff both by von Hindenburg and Kaiser Wilhelm II, he was awarded the Pour le Mérite and Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves. He was one of the six recipients, the lowest ranked, of the 1914 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross]. This is an amazing artifact. In addition to being historically significant, it a beautiful piece of art. It highlights the elegance of the high-end bronzes produced in Imperial Germany. $9,495.00. .
This is a classic statue depicting a WW I German aviator. I have seen these in the past, and offered them to you on one or two occasions. The statue rests on a base that measures 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" x 3/4." The statue’s total height, from boot to upraised hand, measures 11 1/2." Its overall weight is 2 pounds, 11 ounces. The pilot is wearing what appears to be a double-breasted, leather flying jacket. He is also wearing high boots into which his trousers have been tucked. He sports an old-fashioned leather helmet. This helmet was used early in the war by pilots and observers alike. Its leather was hard-shelled, unlike the more commonly seen soft leather caps. [If you look carefully, you can see a ridge running down the helmet’s center. Its presence is how I identified the helmet’s style. Perched atop his helmet are his goggles. His right arm is raised in salute, and his left hand holds a propeller. Obviously, the propeller is not to a standard propeller’s scale, which would have been much taller. The entire presentation, however, presents the WW I aviator’s spirit. If you look under the base, you can see the twin bolts and nuts that secure the statue to its base. At one time, the base probably had some sort of cover to conceal its innards. It does not affect the statue’s ability to stand solidly and securely when it is displayed. Here is a unique opportunity to add this splendid piece to your statue or aviation collection. There is a portion of the thumb on the right hand that is missing. $1,595.00
14-363 STATUE - GERMAN AVIATOR.
Friedrich III was Germany’s second Kaiser. He lived a mere three months after he assumed his father Kaiser Wilhelm I’s throne. Friedrich III was an able military commander who competently handled the units under his command during the 1866 Austro-Prussian War and the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War. He proved himself to be a mature and evenhanded administrator. Both of these virtues were NOT held by his son Wilhelm II. With Friedrich III’s untimely death in 1888, one has to wonder what history would have been like under his rule rather than Wilhelm II’s. It is, of course, one of those "what if" situations. Personally, I doubt that WW I would have developed under his rule. The statuette we are offering today is vividly painted in black, red, gold, brown and gray. Friedrich III stands erect in his uniform, with one hand on his sword’s hilt and the other grasping a document. He stands on a base that measures 1/2" tall. The figure of Friedrich III stands 8 1/2" tall. The combined height of the base and statuette is 9." The statuette’s back is flat, and contains two cutout areas. They may have allowed the statue to be hung on a wall or, at the very least, stand flat against one. Kaiser Friedrich III’s facial features of are well done. It should also be remembered that statues of Friedrich III are seen far less frequently than Kaiser Wilhelm I, Kaiser Wilhelm II, or King Frederick the Great for that matter. $675.00
26-46 STATUETTE - KAISER FRIEDRICH III.
This is
26-25 XJB LARGE BRONZE STATUE - SOLDIER IN GRENADIER-REGIMENT Nr 11 - PRUSSIA.
a consignment item. It is certainly the largest and most impressive statue we have ever offered. It represents a soldier from Grenadier-Regiment König Friedrich III (2. Schlesisches) Nr 11. The regiment was founded in 1808. It was garrisoned at Breslau (in present-day Poland. It also was Manfred von Richthofen’s homestead). The regiment, which had fought bravely in the Napoleonic Wars, was attached to the VI. ArmeeKorps. The massive statue stands 44" in overall height! Its marble base measures 9" x 91/4" x 1 1/4." A secondary bronze base is attached to the marble base, measuring 8" x 8" x 1 3/4." The soldier’s actual height is 27," which, added to the rest, gives us the final figure of 44 inches. I believe you will agree, a statue standing three feet and eight inches in height is very impressive! (We seldom have offered any statues much more than 18" in height). The soldier grips his rifle firmly in his right hand. From rifle butt to bayonet tip, it measures a striking 26 inches. Perhaps the statue’s most impressive statistic is its weight. Our steadfast soldier clocks in at a whopping 61.6 pounds! The sculptor has signed his name as W. Uhlmann. I have not been able to find information about this name. [I have found information on a German sculptor named Hans Uhlmann (1900-1975). I do not know if they are related or not]. As you can see from the attached photographs, the detail work on the soldier and his equipment is amazingly lifelike. It is almost as if a soldier was miniaturized and frozen in time.
Ultimately, it is one of those items where it is better to show you its pictures, let you enjoy them, and stop prattling on! [Naturally, special shipping charges will be involved in sending this HEAVY piece to you! Charges will be based on your location and the type of shipping you prefer]. $9,995.00
Germania was the mythical protector of Germany. A large statue of her was erected on the Rhine and there she looked to the West where she stood ever vigilant to warn and protect Germany from an invasion from France. Today we offer an oversized statue of Germania which stands 16" tall overall. Germania herself measures 14" tall and she is mounted on a golden base which measures 2". The statue is made from stamped steel which weighs 8 lbs. and 1.5 ounces. It is painted in both silver and gold. She holds the Hohenzollern crown uplifted in her right hand. In her left hand she holds a sword ready to do battle with any enemies who attack Germany. On either side of her you can see a an Eagle lending her support. On the reverse you can see that the statue is made of stamped steel. This is a very striking statue and will add a great deal to any room where it is placed and then Germania will look out for you! $675.00
26-24 STATUE - GERMANIA - GERMANY’S PROTECTOR.
This is a consignment item. It is an oversized statue of a rampant Lion of Bavaria. It is made of base metal which has a coating of gilt over it. The Lion stands 10 1/2" tall from its base to the tip of its mane. The Lion is mounted on a wooden base which is a further 2 1/4" tall so the overall height of this presentation is 13". The Lion is attached firmly to the base. The consignor tells me that this piece was used as a finial at a castle and displays the might and bravery of Bavaria. It weighs a whopping 9 ½ lbs. and is very well made with excellent detail. Due to the weight and the size additional shipping may be required depending on to where it will be shipped. $1,495.00
26-27 XJB STATUE OF A RAMPANT LION - BAVARIA.
26-44 GLASS STATUE - KAISER JOSEF II - AUSTRIA.
26-45 PORCELAIN FIGURINE - SOLDIER AIDING WOUNDED COMRADE.
26-40 SCHLESSISCHER SCHÜTZE STATUE.
26-43
XJB LINEOL FIGURINE - GENERALFELDMARSCHALL AUGUST von MACKENSEN.
Busts
26-42 BUST - KAISER WILHELM II. This is a most unusual and beautiful bust of Kaiser Wilhelm II. It is a clas
sic bust of Germany’s final Kaiser. The bust is made of tiger’s eye, a semiprecious gemstone. [Tiger’s eye is a quartz variety that displays rich yellow and golden-brown stripes, with a fine golden luster when polished. It displays chatoyancy (a vertical luminescent band like that of a cat's eye). Tiger’s eye commonly is used for jewelry and small statues ]. It has been delicately carved into Kaiser Wilhelm II’s likeness from the chest up. Its luminescent golden bands run vertically through the bust, particularly through Wilhelm’s face down into where his chest broadens out. The exquisite carving is precise enough to reveal the Kaiser’s neck order, tunic buttons, medal bar (at least 7 places), epaulettes and aiguillette. The hairs on his mustache and head are individually rendered. The statuette’s overall height is 6." The bust portion measures 2 1/4," while its base measures 3 3/4." The base appears to be made of either agate or onyx, which are other quartz-forms related to tiger’s eye. [Agate is a variety of chalcedony formed from layers of quartz that usually show varicolored bands. Onyx is a gemstone with alternating light and dark bands, which are colored in brown, red, black, white and grey. Some forms of agate are called onyx, which is, strictly speaking, coarsely banded agate. The agate-working industry grew up centuries ago in the Idar-Oberstein district of Germany, where agates were abundant around Oberstein on the Nahe, a tributary of the Rhine at Bingen. Most were found in the Galgenberg, or Steinkaulenberg, overlooking the village of Idar, on the Idar Bach, about two miles from Oberstein. Commercial mining mostly halted in 1870, although the agate industry is still carried on, especially at Idar]. The onyx/agate base’s color shifts from light brown to dark brown, with thin swirling lines of white and providing interesting contrast. It has been carved in the form of a tiered tower, with the tiger’s eye bust attached to its top. This is a sublime piece of work, splendid in its execution and bewitching in its beauty. Gem afficionados and royalty collectors alike will glory in its sensuous charm. $1,195.00
26-38 BUST - “IRON CHANCELLOR” OTTO von BISMARCK. This is a multicolored bust of Germany’s greatest politician, Otto von Bismarck. Bismarck was Chancellor under three Kaisers: Wilhelm I, Friedrich III, and Wilhelm II. He was involved in the unification of Germany under Wilhelm I, and his crowning as Emperor after the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War. The bust stands 7 1/2” tall and 4 3/4” wide. It is made of bisque porcelain. It is completely painted, including his face, hair, shirt, coat, and hat. It is very well made and lifelike. $395.00
Figurines
26-13 PORCELAIN FIGURE OF A HUSSAR. This is an exquisite porcelain figure of a Hussar. He stands 7 3/4" tall. The man is wearing a 19th Century dress uniform, complete with sword, busby, atilla, etc. He even has a cape and bedroll slung over his shoulder. The only small flaw in this delightful item is that two-thirds of his sword is missing below the hilt. Otherwise, this is a lovely piece in excellent condition. It is a bargain at this price. $125.00 . . .
18-169 VASE WITH A SOLDIER ON IT. This is a small vase that would be suitable for holding a bud or other small flower. The flower holder looks like a guard house or door and stands 4". A soldier wearing a pickelhaube and holding his Mauser stands against it. It is in charming condition. $100.00
18-109 PORCELAIN PATRIOTIC FIGURINE. This is a small hand painted patriotic porcelain figurine that celebrated the second year of WW I. This figurine stands 2 3/4" tall and is 2 ½ wide. It consists of two columns with eagles mounted on them. Between the two columns is a wreath with an Iron Cross in the center. This entire arrangement is mounted on a base that bears the date of 1915. The reverse of this base has the number 7925. The basic color of this small figurine is white. There are gold highlights on the columns. The eagles are mostly gold. The wreath is both gold and white. The Iron Cross is black. There is a ribbon looped from it to the wreath above. This is all hand painted. The figurine has no chipping or cracks to it. $175.00.
26-29 PORCELAIN FIGURINE - PRUSSIAN OFFICER CA. 1740. This is a finely-made porcelain figurine of a Prussian officer, circa 1740. This is from the time when Frederick the Great (1712-1786) was King of Prussia. Frederick the Great served as Prussia’s King from 1740 into 1786. This is considered the beginning of Prussia’s dominance within Germany, which extend from 1740 through 1918. The exquisitely-detailed figurine is hand painted. It rests on an oval-shaped base. The figurine stands 8 1/4" tall. Adding the base increases the total height to 9 1/2." The lower one third of the officer’s sword is missing. Hallmarking for the manufacturer appears at the bottom, but I am not familiar with it. [If any of our sharp-eyed readers can help us ID the firm, we would greatly appreciate it]! I estimate that the figurine was manufactured after 1945. The colors are very vibrant. This is an extremely handsome figurine. $250.00
This is a fine, hand painted figurine of an 18th Century officer. It is complete, undamaged and in pristine condition. It is marked for Goebel in W. Germany. It probably was produced in the 1970's or 1980's, before Germany’s reunification. The figure stands 7 3/4" tall. $250.00
26-30 PORCELAIN FIGURINE - 18TH CENTURY OFFICER - GOEBEL.
18-215 BIG BERTHA PATRIOTIC FIGURINE OR BUD VASE. This is an unusual patriotic figurine that could have been displayed alone or possibly even used as a bud vase. It is made of porcelain and represents the huge, powerful cannon "Big Bertha." While the Germans had larger cannons in their arsenal, Big Bertha really captured the publics imagination. I believe the gun received its name from the head of Krupp Werke naming it for a daughter or granddaughter. The figurine measures 6 3/8" in height. It shows the gun at an angle of 45 degrees, ready to fire. On the barrel in gold is noted "Die Dicke Bertha aus Essen Hasweitte 42". Attractively made and in very fine condition, it would make a most unusual addition to any collection. $175.00
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