Kingdom of Prussia - Fusilier Regiment "Königin" (Schleswig-Holsteinisches) No. 86

The Füsilier Regiment “Königin” (Schleswig-Holsteinisches) Nr. 86 was among the traditional military units of the Prussian Army and embodied Prussia's military presence in the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein, annexed after 1866. This porcelain dish from the officers' mess represents the material culture of the Prussian officer corps in the German Empire and provides insight into the everyday world of the military elite of this era.

The regiment was established on August 6, 1866, following the victorious Second Schleswig War and the Austro-Prussian War as Infantry Regiment Nr. 86. The unit initially bore the designation “4th Schleswig-Holstein Infantry Regiment Nr. 86” and was converted into a fusilier regiment in 1888. The bestowal of the honorary title “Königin” (Queen) was made in honor of the Prussian Queen and German Empress, creating a special connection between the regiment and the royal house. This patronage was a high distinction and obligated regiment members to particular loyalty and exemplary conduct.

The regiment's garrison was located in Flensburg, a strategically important city in Prussia's northernmost province. The regiment was organized into three battalions comprising twelve companies in total and was part of the IX Army Corps. The soldiers were recruited primarily from the local population of Schleswig-Holstein, giving the regiment a distinctive regional identity.

The officers' mess formed the social center of the regiment and was far more than just a dining facility. It was the exclusive space where officers met after duty, held social events, and cultivated camaraderie. The furnishing of these messes followed strict traditions and was intended to reflect the status and dignity of the officer corps. The appointments included not only furniture and paintings but also specially commissioned tableware and silverware bearing the regimental cipher.

The Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin (KPM), which produced this dish, had been Prussia's leading porcelain manufacturer since 1763 and supplied both the royal house and military establishments. The use of KPM porcelain in the officers' mess underscores the high quality standards and connection to the Prussian crown. Each piece was manufactured with great care and often decorated with the specific insignia of the respective regiment.

The regimental cipher on the dish typically consisted of intertwined initials, a crown, and the regimental number 86. These heraldic elements served not only decorative purposes but also marked the tableware as regimental property and prevented confusion or unauthorized removal. The design of such pieces followed Prussian uniform regulations and the traditions of the respective regiment.

During World War I, the regiment fought on various fronts. It participated in battles in Belgium and France and, like most Prussian regiments, suffered considerable losses. Following Germany's defeat in 1918 and the dissolution of the Prussian Army as a result of the Treaty of Versailles, the regiment, like all other units of the Imperial Army, was disbanded.

Porcelain pieces such as this dish are today important witnesses to Prussian military history. They document the material culture, aesthetics, and social practices of the officer corps. After the dissolution of the regiments, many of these objects entered private ownership, were sold, or were lost. The surviving pieces are now found in museums, military historical collections, or with private collectors.

The condition rating of 2 indicates a very good state of preservation, which is remarkable for porcelain from this period. The diameter of 26 cm corresponds to a large serving platter that was probably used during official occasions and festive banquets in the mess.

Such objects offer an authentic glimpse into the world of the Prussian Army before 1918 and recall an era that ended irrevocably with the conclusion of World War I. They are material remnants of a highly ritualized military culture in which tradition, hierarchy, and class consciousness represented central values.