WW1 IMPERIAL GERMAN KRIEGSMARINE PAIR OF NAVAL OFFICERS SWORD CANDLE HOLDERS
HISTORY
The imperial German Navy was the navy of imperial Germany and existed between 1871 and just after world war one ended in 1919. During this period Kriegsmarine officers swords were made by the sword maker F.W. Holler in Solingen Germany. There are a few theories as to why a pair of Kriegsmarine officers swords would be sacrificed to make an ornate pair of candle holders, as it was considered an insult to do so at the time, they are;
1. The candle holders were made by the manufacturer and given to prominent officials and customers as gifts and to display the quality of the swords;
2. Under the Treaty of Versailles at the end of WW1 the total of military personnel that the newly formed Weimar Republic were allowed to have was drastically reduced to 100,000, so instead destroying stockpiles of swords the manufacturers turned them into candle holders, this way they were not considered weapons; and
3. In line with point 2, The sword and weapon manufacturers also needed to survive financially turning any stockpiles of swords into a money making enterprise in order to pay wages and running costs.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
The candle holders are a matching pair in excellent condition as shown in the images. The lions heads both have Ruby eyes. The handle grips which are possibly Ivory have no cracks or discoloration and still retain the brass wire wrap intact. The previous owner had a professionally mad wooden box to house and display the candle holders which is part of the sale.
These candle holders are very decorative and well made and would make an excellent gift or display item anywhere around the house or office.