Brunswick, circa 1917. The frame contains a portrait photograph of Duke Ernst August (III.) of Hanover in the uniform of a hussar of the Braunschweigisches Husaren-Regiment Nr. 17, with large original signature of the Duke dated "16. Mai 1917", lower right with the mark of the photo studio "Adele (Förster) Wien I Graben u. Ischl". The portrait in a silver frame of finest peacetime quality, on the underside with silver hallmark crescent moon and crown as well as silver content "800" and maker "F. Siebrecht" and number "67010". Mounted on top of the frame is the crowned cipher "EA", the crown executed in gold, the cipher decorated with rubies and diamonds. The back cover in wine-red morocco leather, with stand. Frame dimensions 20.2 x 29 cm. In original case, interior lined with violet velvet and silk, the lid with gold-stamped jeweler's mark "F. Siebrecht Hof-Juwelier Braunschweig". Case dimensions 25.5 x 34.5 cm. Condition 2.

This gift picture frame represents a highly exquisite work, probably manufactured before the outbreak of war in 1914. Given this quality and costliness, the recipient of this piece could only have been a very high-ranking personality.

Ernst August (III.) was the last reigning Duke of the Duchy of Brunswick from 1913 until his abdication in 1918 and the last reigning monarch of the House of Hanover. During World War I he was promoted to Major General and served in the General Command of the X. Armee-Korps to which the Braunschweigisches Husaren-Regiment Nr. 17 also belonged.

The photograph was made by the photo studio "Adèle" in Vienna, which was famous for its portrait photographs and also worked for the Imperial and Royal Court.

The jeweler "F. Siebrecht" in Brunswick is also well known and manufactured, among other things, decorations for the Duchy of Brunswick.

377374

€ 6.500,00

Brunswick World War I Personal Gift Picture Frame of Duke Ernst August (III.)

This magnificent gift picture frame bearing the portrait of Duke Ernst August III of Brunswick (1887-1953) represents an extraordinary testament to courtly representational culture during the First World War. Such gift frames with personal portrait photographs and signatures were presented by European royal houses as special distinctions to deserving officers, diplomats, or other high-ranking personalities.

Duke Ernst August III belonged to the House of Hanover, a cadet branch of the House of Welf that had also held the British Crown from 1714 to 1901. Through his marriage to Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia in 1913 – the only daughter of Emperor Wilhelm II – Ernst August became Duke of Brunswick after decades of dynastic conflicts were resolved. This wedding, the last great celebration of European monarchies before the First World War, symbolically united the Houses of Hohenzollern and Welf.

The date of the signature – May 16, 1917 – falls during a critical phase of the First World War. Ernst August served as Major General in the General Command of the X Army Corps, which also included the traditional Brunswick Hussar Regiment No. 17. In the portrait, the Duke wears the uniform of this very hussar regiment, emphasizing the close connection between the sovereign and his troops. The year 1917 was characterized by increasing war weariness, heavy fighting on the Western Front, and political upheavals in Russia.

The production of the portrait by Photo Studio Adèle (Förster) in Vienna deserves special attention. This renowned studio with locations on the Graben and in Bad Ischl was known for its high-quality portrait photographs and worked for the Imperial and Royal Court in Vienna. The choice of a Viennese studio underscores the close dynastic and cultural connections between the German princely houses and the Austro-Hungarian Imperial House during the war alliance.

The frame itself is a masterpiece of goldsmith's art. Made by the Court Jeweler F. Siebrecht in Brunswick, who was also known for producing orders and decorations for the Duchy, it displays the finest “peace quality” – an indication that the piece was probably manufactured before the war began or in the early war years, when there were no war-related material shortages. The silver hallmark with crescent moon and crown as well as the indication “800” attest to the high-quality workmanship in 800 silver.

Particularly remarkable is the applied crowned cipher “EA” on the frame. The crown is executed in gold, while the initials are decorated with rubies and diamonds. This precious execution was only customary for gifts of the highest rank and shows that the recipient must have been a person of extraordinary importance – possibly a member of another reigning dynasty, a high military commander, or a particularly meritorious statesman.

The backing cover in wine-red morocco leather and the original case, lined inside with purple velvet and silk, correspond to the courtly standards of the time. The golden inscription of the jeweler in the lid emphasizes the provenance and authenticity of the piece.

Such personal gift picture frames were part of a centuries-old tradition of European courts. They served as visible signs of the personal connection between ruler and recipient and were often presented on special occasions – military successes, anniversaries, or diplomatic missions. In the context of the First World War, they gained additional significance as expressions of loyalty and determination in an increasingly desperate military situation.

Duke Ernst August III had to abdicate in November 1918 when the revolution sealed the end of all German monarchies. He retired to private life but remained a respected figure as head of the House of Hanover. He shared his fate with all other German princes whose centuries-old dynasties were swept away within a few days.

Today, such personal gift items from the First World War are rare testimonies of a vanished world. They document not only the artistic craftsmanship of the time but also the complex personal and dynastic relationships that shaped European politics until 1918. The present frame unites the elements of courtly representation, military tradition, and personal honor – a unique historical document from the last days of the German monarchies.