{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-franco-prussian-war-1884-dated-warrior-and-landwehr-association-veterans-flag-with-fringe-hand-painted-prussian-eagle-51-x-59","title":"Original Imperial German Franco Prussian War 1884-Dated Warrior and Landwehr Association Veterans’ Flag with Fringe \u0026 Hand-Painted Prussian Eagle - 51 x 59”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding original Imperial German \u003cstrong\u003eKrieger- und Landwehr-Verein\u003c\/strong\u003e veterans’ association flag dated \u003cstrong\u003e1884\u003c\/strong\u003e, made for the communities of\u003cstrong\u003e Erxleben, Möckern, and Polkau\u003c\/strong\u003e. Associations of this type brought together former soldiers and Landwehr veterans, including men whose service dated to the wars of German unification and the Franco-Prussian War era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871 was one of the defining conflicts of 19th-century Europe and resulted in the defeat of the French Second Empire, the capture of Napoleon III, and the proclamation of the German Empire at Versailles in January 1871. Prussia supplied the political and military leadership of the new empire, while units from the wider German states fought together against France. The war became a central reference point in Imperial German veterans’ culture, and associations such as the Krieger- und Landwehr-Vereine preserved the memory of wartime service through reunions, commemorative events, memorials, and elaborate association flags such as this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flag measures 51 x 59” with magnificent fringe that is well-retained with some areas of stitch loss. Including the fringe, the flag measures roughly 57 x 61”. The flag is over 140 years old, and the hand-painted portions are well-retained for their age. There is some minor tearing in spots in the lower portion of the flag, and as mentioned, the fringe is coming off in some places. The flag is understandably very weak and needs to be handled carefully to prevent further damage. Along the non-fringed edge of the flag are small holes from nails that were likely used to hang this in the veteran’s meeting hall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne side of the flag bears a gorgeous painted Prussian eagle with its mouth open and tongue stretched out. It carries a scepter and orb and is surrounded by vinery and the painted script:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKrieger-und Landwehr-Verein\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eErxleben Möckern u. Polkau\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1884\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egewidmet von d. Frauen u. Lungfrauen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWar Veterans’ and Territorial Reserve Association\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eErxleben, Möckern, and Polkau\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1884\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDedicated by the women and young women\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe other side of the flag has painted patriotic floral motifs with red, white, and black tricolor flags flowing through it, and is painted in the center with the phrase:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTreudem\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWaffenbruderbund\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetzoundsu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIeder\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStund\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA bond of brotherhood-in-arms,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrue and steadfast,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt every moment,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor all time.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flag body has some staining as shown, to be expected for a flag of this age, but its painted portions are nothing short of outstanding, and the Prussian Eagle motif will make an outstanding backdrop to any collection focused around the Franco-Prussian War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the\u003cstrong\u003e 1884 date, named Krieger- und Landwehr-Verein, hand-painted Prussian eagle, Imperial black-white-red flags, dedication from the local women and young women, extensive fringe, and association with the generation of Franco-Prussian War veterans \u003c\/strong\u003emakes this an exceptional surviving artifact of Imperial German veterans’ culture. The fragile textile condition and localized fringe loss warrant careful conservation, while the surviving painted decoration remains remarkably strong and historically significant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46106431225925,"sku":"ONJR26OCAS016","price":1195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/8D12219B-833F-47AC-873E-FF0B8098ACE6.jpg?v=1792779072","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-franco-prussian-war-1884-dated-warrior-and-landwehr-association-veterans-flag-with-fringe-hand-painted-prussian-eagle-51-x-59","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}