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Watchchain of iron

Klein & Quenzer and Hermann Hoseus1916

Hallwyl Museum

Hallwyl Museum
Stockholm, Sweden

The warring countries in the First World War had many ways of raising funds for their cause. In Germany there was a tradition of exchanging gold for iron jewellery since the Napoleonic wars. The motto “I gave gold for iron” was used as an honorary sign, a sign of patriotism. In 1914 the firm Klein & Quenzer sold this watchchain for women. (Banknotes were not accepted.) If you paid 5 RM in gold you also got a medal. Both chain and medal were designed by Hermann Hoseus (1875-1958).

Wilhelmina von Hallwyl asked Eduard Kahlert (1850-1931), her trusted antique dealer in Germany, to buy two chains and two medals for her when she was on a trip through Germany in October 1916.

Details

  • Title: Watchchain of iron
  • Creator: Klein & Quenzer, Hermann Hoseus
  • Date Created: 1916
  • Location Created: Idar-Oberstein, Germany
  • Rights: CC BY
  • External Link: The Hallwyl Museum

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