Lead crystal with gold leaf and family crest/coat of arms

[Renee S.]

I have had this challis? For probably 15 years now. I bought it from my
Brother who bought it overseas. It is lead crystal, gold leaf over enamel, and gold inlay. He had it appraised at a store here that sells collectables. They appraised it at $1500. and offered him $500. for it. I told him not to take it. That he needed to find out whose family crest it was. He didn't want to do the work, so I bought it. I searched for a while, and got no where. I can only guess the bird is an eagle. I suspect Austrian. I also think it could be Prussian. I just don't know. Does any one have a clue.

Thank You Kindly
Naycat

 

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[tokenhead]

just logged on and saw this item...very very COOL! austria is a good guess but to me it looks like russian czar crest...you need to look at a book on heraldry.it does look austrian but something about this peice that makes me feel different about it.very wise to tell bro. not to sell.as you may or may not(i think you do!)know when an antique dealer/pawn shop,etc.offers a high amout($500.00)for something it should throw up the red flag in your mind,meaning worth much more,something important,etc.russiawas well known for its enamaling,as was austria.anyway this has peaked my intrest&i'll continue to research.good luck&very wise not to sell...at this point at least.VERY COOL ITEM!!

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Where did your brother buy it overseas ( store ,pawn shop, private dealer?)...and what country?.....that would help in your search....this site listed below can assist you in identification....

http://digiserve.com/heraldry/

 

[Renee S.]

I Really appreciate the help with this everyone. My first attempt 15 years ago was a little frustrating. We even had the Antique Roadshow come through Tucson. Waited hours, didn't mind that. What did bother me was the gentleman they wanted to look at the piece disappeared and didn't tell anyone where he was going, so they had me wait another half hour hopping he had just gone to get something to eat, and would turn up. Well that didn't happen.

The heraldry books at the U of A is how I figured it was either Prussian or Austrian.

My Brother did tell me where he bought it once, but I have since forgoten. I'll ask and get back to y'all.

Thank you kindly
Ren

 

[littleneckhalfshell]

I think I found your Crest that is in question. See http://www.germaniainternational.com/ksteins.html

On the site, along with a picture of a glass beer stein, it says "The crest is of the Prussian Hohenzollern family giving the possibility of royal connection. The painters, jewelers, woodworkers of Germany were a law-abiding lot and it was forbidden to use the royal crest on anything except the things for the emperor's use or pleasure." On other sites with unclear pictures, I have seen the similar black eagle on gold shield mentioned as the German Crest, the inclusion of the inner shield on it's chest, is the ruling family, which under Kaiser Wilhelm II was the Hohenzollern family. My guess is that your crystal glass is related to the WW-I time period or maybe earlier, Kaiser=Emperor or King in the German understanding. So I would say you have a piece of German (Prussian) royal history. That is my take on it, took a bit of searching but I think this beer stein I came up with, is very close, on the eagle though the gold shield is of a different style.

 

[nhbenz]

Good job Littleneck, I think thats it. And Renee that glass or goblet? is in great shape!

 

[southbound]

I would bet that its hand painted with 24K gold paint also. Very nice. Vern

 

[Renee S.]

OK everyone. My Brother got back in touch with me. He said he didn't get it when he was overseas. He got it from a guy who was overseas in Germany and bought it with a box of other WWII stuff.

He said his friend said It was Kaiser Wilhelm's Crest. Then he added that's his story. He also corrected me, and told me he didn't believe the glass was lead crystal. Maybe I will get it reapraised.

Thank you Kindly everyone. You have given me a great start.

Renee

 

[Noodle]

All I can say is -- that is the sickest looking eagle I have ever seen. He's down to his last few feathers, his toes are grasping and not making contact, and the poor thing's tongue is hanging waaay out. :P

-Noodle

 

[DJ_Quinn]

All I can say is -- that is the sickest looking eagle I have ever seen. He's down to his last few feathers, his toes are grasping and not making contact, and the poor thing's tongue is hanging waaay out. :P

-Noodle

LOL, that's because the House of Kaiser was choked by the National Socialist Party. That poor Eagle never had a chance.
That's a cool chalise, and if it does trace to the Kais3er's family, its highly collectable. I wouldn't have sold it for $500. If I wghere you, I would contact a European auction house like Christeys in London or Whytes in Dublin for an appraisal. ANyway, its a beaustifull piece despite the distressed looking eagle.

 

[Burdie]

That is a very nice challis thanks for posting. I would definitely have someone look at it professionally.
Burdie

 

[Charlene]

Now there's a piece you can sink your research teeth into, real nice Renee WTG

 

[pgill]

That is so beautiful I thought German, but not good at these things. Good luck on your venture, and keep us informed.

God bless
Peter

 

[Renee S.]

Well I sent the information off to Christie's they weren't interested in appraising it for me.

They say it's not the kind of object they auction off. I guess its beneath them.
It probably won't bring in the kind of money they are looking for.

I'll try another auction house.

Renee

 

[Angelo]

HOLY CRAP!! LITTLENECK!

Nice tracking!!

Can you find my EX? and the money?

 

[rck_1]

Prussia
Before the 16th century Prussia was simply a remote northern German state on the shores of the Baltic Sea. It was flat and marshy with a small, rather poor population. The first important development happened when the ruling family of the state of Brandenburg obtained Prussia as an hereditary duchy in 1525. This was followed in 1618 by the formal unification of Brandenburg-Prussia under the rule of the Hohenzollern family.

Hohenzollerns

This dynasty was one of the most important royal families in Europe. The history of the family dates back to the 11th century and its name is taken from the castle of Burg Hohenzollern, near T?bingen. There were several branches of the dynasty, but the principle one was the ruling house of Brandenburg-Prussia from 1415 until 1918 and it provided the emperors of imperial Germany from 1871 to 1918. One line of the family, Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, became the royal house of Rumania from 1866 to 1947.


At the end of the 17th century the German states were weak and divided. Only one, Brandenburg-Prussia, had a ruler with a vision of the future and the determination to achieve his ambitions. This was Frederick William, the Great Elector (1640-1688). He completely unified the scattered Hohenzollern possessions by creating a ruthlessly efficient administration. He recruited Dutch engineers to drain the marshes and swamps. He also welcomed French, German and Swiss Protestant refugees from religious persecution. With state aid, these refugees rapidly settled in their new country and helped Frederick William create an economic revolution. Factories were built and a postal system established.

Everyone, nobles and commoners alike, paid taxes to support a small, but efficient, army. In 1675 the Great Elector used this army to challenge Swedish power by marching into Pomerania ( a German state on the southern shores of the Baltic controlled by Sweden) and defeating the Swedes. This victory was a little premature because, in 1678, Sweden's ally, Louis XIV, forced Frederick William to retire from Pomerania. Frederick William, however, was ready to be patient and wait for the next opportunity.

The chance came when the great Elector was succeeded by the Elector Frederick III (1688-1713). He managed to obtain from the Emperor the title of King of Prussia. In 1701 the new king, now titled Frederick I, King of Prussia, established his royal court at K?nigsberg. (During the official ceremony Frederick flew into a rage because his queen took snuff during the service and, each time he took a drink, a nine cannon salute was fired). He was described as being "great in little things", which was meant as criticism. However, his strict control of finance, his creation of a fine secondary school system and his welcoming of persecuted Protestants from all over Europe established a Prussian state which would soon rival Austria as the great German power.