WWI Grave Marker?

[Nanook]

Can anyone provide me with a bit of information on this item? I've been told its a grave memorial or cemetry decoration from a fallen WWI German Soldier. I'd like to know if this Is this correct or was it used for something else as I've never seen one before.

It was recently purchased in Germany. It's made of zinc and stands about 8" (20cms) high.

[John G.]

Nanook,
I'd need to see more pictures to comment on what this is "supposed" to be......it would likely be a veterans associated marker (but does NOT conform to anything previously known!)....but I'm far from convinced it original at this point. The "3rd Reich-style (but swastika-less)" Eagle, the IRON CROSS with 1813, 1870, & 1914 are "over-kill".....if it was a gravemarker "we'd have seen these before"....this one's "newly discovered" (but probably more will turn up- now).....

I'd tend to think this falls into the current fantasy materials coming out of "Eastern Europe".....but more and better pictures might change my mind ......Just my opinion, of course!

I might believe this was part of some German Milit. Cemetary memorial or Mosulim....how does it mount? Is it marked?....
John G.

[BillHermann]

Having lived in Europe and visiting many ww1 German cemeteries I can pretty much say that it is not from the 1914 to 1920 era. I lived in small German villages as well and their memorials are not in that style which are very neutral in design.

Most post war German markers do not tend to be strong in nationalistic symbolism. They usually have a stylized helmet, a simple stone iron cross in the ground or a simple metal black iron cross. The post above says that it is also a merge between late 1800s and the 3rd Reich which is correct. The only possibility if it's original is a post WW2 marker from a town but I doubt it.

I would also have to say that I would doubt that it has anything to do with a grave.

If its not a fake then the only slim possibility is that it may have been commissioned by a family in east or west Germany to mark a personal private grave.

[Nanook]

Thanks for the replies. It has no makers mark and the eagle sits out from the cross at the rear as if it was designed to sit on top of some thing. The eagle also has a hole at the back to hook on a nail or such.

It does seem strange that the cross is imperial and the eagle is definitly 3rd Reich style which was why I'm asking if anyone knows anything more about it. The only thing I can think of is if it is legit, it might be post WWII for a veteran of both wars.

It's quite well made and very heavy which makes me think it is a real item as it wouldn't have been cheap to make.

Jamie

[BillHermann]

Having done cast work like that myself it is not that hard nor is it overly expensive. If this piece has been mass produced in a shop in eastern Europe it would be even cheaper. The actual original would have been made out of clay, wood, stone. The moulds would be made and then the zink cross / eagle would have been poured one after the other they could have been pumped out. Zinc is not expensive, it can be obtained through junk yards and through metal theft. if its a fake the production cost and the material would be quite low. The only part that would take time would have been the original design but artists in eastern European and asian countries often get little or nothing for this type of work.

If perhaps its original the process would have been the same however it would only hold value due to its historical value, not because of its complexity, design or the material it's made out of.

It may also have contemporary origins as the swastika is not often seen in public Germany due to legal issues, this would be a way to get around that policy with some groups. It may have been purchased for a club house, bar, event or service.

[Nanook]

Thanks Bill,

I'll keep my eye out to see if more are on the market, that will be the test I'm guessing lol!