Original German WWII AH Formal Pattern Silver Serving Tray by Wellner Original Items

Original Item: Only One available. Silver, flatware and serving pieces that were specifically made for the residences of Adolf H were highly sought after by USGIs as bring back trophies. Many items were recovered at The Berghof and the Eagle’s Nest at Obersalzberg near Berchtesgaden. This platter is in fact one of the the rare and the most desirable of all AH’s silver items. Every U.S. soldier wanted to bring home something of note. AH silver was a choice item. Unlike silver eating utensils that had many in a set, large serving pieces like this example numbered much fewer (and ere harder to transport). Many U.S. soldiers who where lucky enough to get a hold of AH’s silver opted for the less cumbersome eating utensils. Many times only officers or soldiers with access to motor vehicles carried big pieces home.

This is a stunning example of a large oval formal silver serving tray from Adolf H’s personal silver service. It measures 54cm x 36cm (21.25″ x 14″) at its topmost quadrant having political national emblem of eagle with slightly spread wings clutching Swaz and the initials A H flanking the wreath, the bottom is embossed with the maker’s name Wellner and 82, the tray’s serial number 145474 is stamped to the tray’s underside on one end. Serving platter weighs approximately 2.45 kilograms (5.4 lbs) and is in fine condition, free of dents, significant scratching or abrasion. The silver has not been recently cleaned and a pleasing degree of tarnish and patina. Purportedly, this specifc serving tray was one of five pieces of Adolf H’s personal silver service removed from the Braunhaus in München at war’s end by a member of the U.S. Army 45th Infantry Division.