This exceptional silver trophy vessel in the style of a 16th-century drinking cup is an outstanding example of imperial ceremonial art and a rare relic of Kiel Week 1898. The slightly conical cylinder with a matching lid is hallmarked on the rim with the mark of Lazarus Posen, Frankfurt am Main, and is made of 800 grade silver – a clear indication of the high quality of the work. Characteristic features include the organically appearing “bubble ornaments” chased into the silver, complemented by fine chasing and engravings that particularly highlight the craftsmanship of the piece.

On the front are two crossed flags: the standard of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the pennant of the Kiel Yacht Club – a strong symbol of the connection between imperial power, maritime tradition, and the significance of Kiel Week as a major social event of the German Empire. Below is the engraved inscription: “Kiel – Travemünde 1. Juli 1898”. On the base of the cup, there is also the engraved monogram “WR” under the imperial crown – an unmistakable sign for Wilhelm Rex, the last German Emperor.

Both the lid and the cup are gilded inside, as was typical for high-quality ceremonial silverwork of the late 19th century.

The Emperor donated this trophy on the occasion of Kiel Week 1898 to honor the winner of the prestigious Kiel–Travemünde sailing regatta. It is historically documented that the regatta was won by the sailing yacht “Iduna” – the yacht of Empress Auguste Victoria. The Iduna was an American special class yacht (Yampa) that Wilhelm II acquired in 1898 and presented to his wife. The ship was only in the possession of the imperial house for a short time. Thus, a cup donated by the imperial house symbolically returned to the imperial house – a historical coincidence of particular charm.

Contemporary depictions of the Iduna are extremely rare and are found almost exclusively in regatta reports from Kiel Week 1898, in maritime illustrations, or on commemorative objects. This makes the trophy not only an artistically valuable object but also one of the few tangible sources for the history of this short-lived imperial yacht.

An outstanding collector's item for lovers of imperial silver, Prussian memorabilia, maritime history, and objects from the personal environment of Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Provenance: Christie's, Silver, Porcelain and Glass from the Prussian Collection, London 2002, p. 282