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1914 IMPERIAL GERMAN IRON CROSS HONOR GOBLET – A
BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION GRADE CUT LEAD CRYSTAL – IN
EXCELLENT CONDITION: This elaborate lead
crystal goblet was created to commemorate the
presentation of Germany’s highest series of military
awards for bravery or exceptional service. Prominently
dated 1914, and bearing the “W” in the center of the
Maltese Cross which acknowledged the then current reign
of Kaiser Wilhelm, these features combine to confirm
that this goblet was created to recognize the award of
the Iron Cross during the first year of World War One.
This goblet is a stunning piece, its size and the
quality of the decoration is commensurate with the
importance of the high honor it commemorated. It is
entirely possible, even likely, that at the time of its
presentation it was cased. That such an inherently
fragile piece (such as any cut crystal piece is prone to
be) survived the wide spread destruction of German
population centers of the Second World War certainly
defied the odds. This piece was collected in the late
1960’s – early 1970’s period by R. Stephen Dorsey during
one of his assignments with the US Army in what was then
West Germany. While Steve’s primary interest was in
antique US militaria, he had a life long interest in the
history of the Germany army, and no doubt he was very
excited when he acquired this piece. I know it was one
of his treasured possessions, prominently displayed in a
cabinet in his dining room. Unfortunately, no history
or identification survived with the goblet prior to its
purchase by Dorsey.
Stephen did write a letter or provenance which will
accompany the sale of this goblet.
The decoration was well executed - an excellent example
of the German cut lead crystal art. The large Maltese
Cross dominates the front side of the goblet and
includes the Emperor’s crown at the top, Kaiser
Wilhelm’s “W” in the center, and the date of the
presentation, “1914” at the bottom. The cross is framed
on each side by an acanthus branch, an embellishment
dating back to the Roman Empire which was reserved for
decorating a piece presented to, or by, royalty. All of
the cuts were artfully applied and are obviously the
work of a master cutter.
Measuring 11” in overall height, with the vessel portion
measuring 5 ½” tall and 4 ¼” in diameter at the top
edge, this goblet is much larger than a standard wine
glass which would used in a place setting on a dining or
banquet table. In addition to the design cut into the
vessel as described above, the corners of the multi
sided stem have serrated cuts to ensure a firm grip and
the base has a sunburst pattern radiating from the stem
out towards the edge. The condition of this piece is
excellent with no damage such as chips or cracks –
again, that it survived in this condition boggles the
imagination.
This is a spectacular relic of the Great War, and quite
possibly a unique World War One German Iron Cross
presentation piece. (0476) $550
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