Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very beautiful souvenir piece sent home by a soldier at the spas in Kleinkirchheim, Austria, most likely while he was on leave enjoying a Schvitz. The piece consists of a wrought iron base resembling a two-sided scale with two spots for candles, with a large pillar in the center holding up a wreathed swas. This is a fantastic piece that will look great in any collection. The piece measures 11” long, roughly 11” tall, and 4½” at its widest point, and weighs about 3.75 lbs.
The piece is stamped with a message at the base, reading:
GRUSS AUS KLEINKIRCHHEIM
GREETINGS FROM KLEINKIRCHHEIM
The opposite side bears stamped suns with the year 1942 in between them. The entire piece is heavily oxidized with pitting across. The bottom of the piece is maker-marked:
S. PERTL
ST. OSWALD
St. Oswald appears to be a church in Kleinkirchheim, or might just be the name of the suburb the church is in, which is likely where this was made. Bad Kleinkirchheim is a municipality and spa town in the district of Spittal an der Drau, in Carinthia, Austria. During World War II, it was a popular spot for soldiers to relax between campaigns.
This is a fantastic souvenir piece, ready to display in your collection!