Porzellan und Silberarbeiten von Bord der Kaiseryachten

Abstract

"Of all the original imperial yacht furnishings, only a few pieces have survived to the present, above all porcelain tableware as well as silver sailing regatta trophies which the Kaiser won with his yachts. On all of this yachts, i.e. the sailing yacht METEOR (I-V) and IDUNA and the steampowered HOHENZOLLERN, Wilhelm II used the same set of porcelain. This tableware was made from 1893 on (the year the HOHENZOLLERN was put into commission) by the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur, Berlin. With its clear, simple forms and sparse, plain decor, this porcelain makes a throroughly modern impression. The regatta prizes were displayed in the built-in glass cabinets in the sailing yacht salons. The preserved pieces include a silver coin tankard, received by the emperor for a victory with the METEOR (I) at the Kiel Regatta Week of 1894, and a silver replica of the antique Portland vase, won with the METEOR (II) in England in 1896. It is a characteristic feature of these regatta prizes that they are adapted from historical prototypes." (author's abstract)