Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a gorgeous framed piece of glass painted for the Luftwaffe, with an Iron Cross 1st Class painted in the center over a blue background, surrounded by a wreath with Luftwaffe eagles in each corner, surrounded by a rectangular wreath border. The frame measures 18½ x 22¼”, and there is a piece of glass in front of the painting so it is not damaged. This is a gorgeous display piece, the first of its kind we have ever seen.
This design is strikingly similar to the Standard of the Reichsmarschall used from 1941-1945 which we have provided a photograph of. The only differences are the shape, as the standard was square and not rectangular, along with the standard having Iron Crosses in each corner, and the crosses batons in each corner. Otherwise, this glass painting is nearly identical to the standard of the Reichsmarschall. We have no information about where this piece came from, but it is certainly Luftwaffe-made and of the period.
The only damage on the piece is some loss of paint in the bottom right corner, and a small bit of loss to the bottom left corner. Otherwise, the paint has aged well and displays beautifully. The frame has a good amount of finish loss, but considering it is likely a period frame, this is to be expected.
This is a gorgeous piece of Luftwaffe memorabilia that will certainly add some color and flair to your collection. Comes ready for further research and display.
The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swas.