Multi-Estate Fall 2025 Auction
Lot 47:
Description
Item SKU: 104450
This ceremonial "Ehrenstange" (honor pole) originated in a German Schützenverein-a civilian shooting club-or similar civic association. The pole was carried during parades and festivals, its plaques recording donors, patrons, or competition winners. The prominent brass eagle finial, wings outstretched, symbolizes vigilance and victory, while the plaques, such as the one reading "Anna Schweigler – Fahnenpatin", commemorate the club’s first sponsor, the benefactor whose donation enabled the group to form. Each subsequent name plaque marks a king, queen, or honored participant from annual shooting contests or club service.
Unlike the mid-19th century tradition of attaching medals to ceremonial chains, by the late 19th and early 20th century these substantial poles allowed for the display of far more plaques, growing into vertical records of community pride. The pole’s robust wooden shaft exhibits a rich aged finish with scattered losses, brass fittings, and a lower mounting hook for securing banners or standards. It remains a remarkable artifact of Central European civic culture and festive tradition.
The piece shows surface wear consistent with age, including flaking finish, scattered losses to the wood and varnish, and patination across the brass fittings and plaques. The engraved name shields remain legible overall, though some are worn from handling and exposure. Structurally solid and complete with its original eagle finial
65" L
Share this lot:
