{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-pre-wwi-kaiserlichemarine-china-japan-embroidered-silk-panel-with-outstanding-dragon-eagle-motif-dated-1911","title":"Original Imperial German Pre-WWI Kaiserlichemarine China \u0026 Japan Embroidered Silk Panel with Outstanding Dragon \u0026 Eagle Motif - Dated 1911","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding display piece that is worthy of being professionally framed, depicting an Imperial German eagle clutching a naval anchor over a Chinese dragon, perched atop a flagpole holding the Imperial German flag, with the Imperial German tricolor flag to the right. This silk embroidery panel was likely made in China or Japan for a sailor of the Kaiserlichemarine, with a small cabinet card photograph of the sailor in civilian clothes in the small oval at the bottom. The cabinet card is not named, but is marked for the photo studio it was taken in, \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Ludwig Brade” \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eof \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBremerhaven, Fahrstrasse 5\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e We were able to remove the photo to check this. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese would be made in-theater for the soldier\/sailor, and in this case was commemorating a voyage or period of service in China and Japan in 1911.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe panel is not currently framed, and is stapled to a backboard, measuring 19 ¾ x 27 ½”. There is some damage to the blue silk backing itself, but the gorgeous embroidery work is retained well. The phrase at the top reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eZur Erinnerung an Meine Reisen China Japan 1911\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn Memory of My Travels: China and Japan, 1911\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGermany had maintained the leased territory of Kiautschou Bay, centered on Tsingtau, since 1898, where the Imperial Navy established an important East Asian naval base. The German Federal Archives records Kiautschou as a major naval and colonial center through the years immediately preceding World War I.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGerman warships of the East Asia Squadron routinely traveled between Chinese, Japanese, Southeast Asian, and Pacific ports. In 1911, the squadron was active in both Chinese and Japanese waters, while events associated with the Chinese Revolution further increased German naval activity along the Chinese coast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause of the age and condition of the silk, professional conservation mounting and framing would be appropriate before long-term display. Any future mounting should avoid placing additional stress on the surviving fabric.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the 1911 China and Japan inscription, richly embroidered Imperial German naval eagle and anchor, Chinese dragon, German flags, inset period photograph, and documented Ludwig Brade Bremerhaven studio mark makes this an especially evocative surviving souvenir of Imperial German naval activity in East Asia immediately before the First World War. Although the individual sailor and his ship remain unidentified, the imagery and inscription place the panel firmly within the tradition of personalized Kaiserliche Marine travel and service commemoratives acquired during Germany's prewar presence in China and the western Pacific.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45696725090373,"sku":"ONJR26OL0155","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26OL0155__01.jpg?v=1788619394","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-pre-wwi-kaiserlichemarine-china-japan-embroidered-silk-panel-with-outstanding-dragon-eagle-motif-dated-1911","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}