{"product_id":"wwi-1914-austro-german-imperial-commemorative-plaque-viribus-unitis","title":"Plaque 001 : WWI 1914 – Austro-German Imperial Commemorative Plaque – “Viribus Unitis”","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWWI 1914 – Austro-German Imperial Commemorative Plaque – “Viribus Unitis”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA striking piece of First World War history, commemorating the alliance between the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires in 1914.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis impressive metal plaque, measuring approximately 17 × 21 cm and weighing around 600–700 g, dates from the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe finely detailed relief depicts the two contemporary emperors, Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary and Wilhelm II of Germany, flanking a central composition of imperial symbols, including crowns, sceptres, crossed swords and the Habsburg double-headed eagle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe prominent Latin inscription reads:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“1914 – VIRIBUS UNITIS – 1914”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeaning “With United Forces”, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eViribus Unitis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was the personal motto of Emperor Franz Joseph I and became a recognisable expression of Austro-German solidarity during the First World War. It was also the name of the famous Austro-Hungarian battleship commissioned in 1912.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lower section features a powerful Imperial German eagle with outstretched wings, above a series of smaller national emblems representing countries associated with the opposing coalition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduced during the early period of the First World War, this plaque reflects the patriotic imagery and political symbolism of 1914, when Germany and Austria-Hungary stood together as the principal Central Powers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuch commemorative objects offer an interesting insight into the visual culture, imperial identity and public sentiment of wartime Europe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObject details:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod: First World War\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate: 1914\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin: German \/ Austro-Hungarian sphere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject: Austro-German imperial alliance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInscription: VIRIBUS UNITIS 1914\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepictions: Emperor Franz Joseph I, Kaiser Wilhelm II, imperial eagles and national emblems\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial: Metal (exact composition to be confirmed)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions: Approximately 17 × 21 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight: Approximately 600–700 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition: Attractive aged appearance and original-looking patina\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the private collection of the late Peter Haller, founder of Peter's Antiques, Swakopmund, Namibia (established 1983). A piece from a personal collection built around a lifelong appreciation of historical objects and antiques.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA substantial and visually impressive historical collectible\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, ideal for collectors of First World War memorabilia, German and Austro-Hungarian militaria, imperial history and early 20th-century European decorative arts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn evocative reminder of a defining moment in European history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered by Haller Treasure Chest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haller Treasure Chest","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57547891016058,"sku":null,"price":595.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0738\/9125\/0466\/files\/1914ViribusUnitisPlaque-front.jpg?v=1794317387","url":"https:\/\/hallertreasurechest.com\/de\/products\/wwi-1914-austro-german-imperial-commemorative-plaque-viribus-unitis","provider":"Haller Treasure Chest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}