General Auction Including Antiques, Collectables, Militaria, Nautical, Gold & Silver (14% Buyers Commission)
Lot 45:
Description
A post-WWII commemorative musical table lighter in the form of a standing knight in full plate armour, produced in Germany circa 1945-1955. This type of souvenir ware is frequently attributed to the manufacturer Weltzunder. The figure is fashioned from cast metal with a pewter-tone finish and is mounted on a stepped, circular wooden base. The helmet features an adjustable visor with a black striking trigger for the integrated lighter mechanism. The knight holds a heater-style shield featuring a detailed transfer-printed map of the British Zone of Occupation. The map identifies key regional locations including Flensburg, Schleswig, Kiel, Oldenburg, Bremen, Munster, Osnabruck, Hanover, Brunswick, Paderborn, Gottingen, Kassel, Essen, Dortmund, Duisburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Aachen, and Bonn. The surrounding territories are labelled Netherlands, Belgium, and U S Zone. The underside of the base houses a metal winding key for the musical movement and a circular aperture for sound resonance. A single stamped numeral 3 is present on the underside of the base.
Condition report:
The cast metal figure shows a natural dull patina with minor surface oxidation and wear consistent with age. The visor mechanism is functional. The internal lighter and musical movement are present but remain untested. The turned wooden base is structurally sound, showing a small nick on the top surface near the right foot. The shield transfer is well-preserved, remaining clear and legible with minimal loss.
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