If your country asked you to give up something to help fight the enemy, would you do it? Between 1803 and 1815, citizens of Prussia were called upon by members of the royal family to donate their gold and silver jewelry to help finance their country’s efforts in the Napoleonic Wars. In exchange for their precious jewelry, they were given jewelry cast in Berlin iron.
Berlin iron is a metal that was produced in the Prussian royal foundry. It is a black-lacquered cast iron material that was originally used to make objects such as utensils, candlesticks, and medallions, as well as larger objects such as garden furniture, and fencing. The iron was coated with black lacquer to prevent it from rusting. It is that black appearance that gives Berlin ironwork the look of mourning jewelry. Ironwork jewelry was also produced by iron jewelers such as Johann Conrad Geiss.
Prussian citizen’s wore their ironwork jewelry with a sense of patriotic pride. Many pieces bore slogans like “I gave gold for iron” and “for the welfare of our homeland.” This gentleman’s ring features a center medallion with a pair of clasped hands. This symbol represents loyalty and solidarity. On the ring are inscribed the words “there is an echo in France when we say the words honor and Fatherland.”
Early Berlin ironwork followed fashion and was typically neo-classical in design. Many pieces included cameos and classical figures.
Around 1815, the designs began to change to feature more natural elements.
By 1825, ironwork jewelry remained in favor and pieces were being designed in the gothic revival style.
I wonder how many people today would give up their jewelry if their country asked them to?
Resources used:
- Birmingham Museum of Art
- Christie’s Auction House
- http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/when-germans-gave-up-their-gold-jewelry-to-battle-napoleon/
- https://www.georgianjewelry.com/items/show/14917-symbolic-antique-berlin-iron-ring-for-a-man
- http://www.langantiques.com/university/index.php/Berlin_Iron
Laurie Benson's Cozy Drawing Room 
Reblogged this on First Night History.
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My family did this around ww1, they gave up alot. Fun fact: My great great grandma was cousins with Wilhelm II. She remembered visiting him in his house when she was around 5 and talking to him while siting in his lap. One time she pulled his beard, just because that’s what kids do, and her mom got after her, but Wilhelm just laughed and said she was fine. He was a nice guy.
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