Detah mask - what did I find here????

[AJ]

Hi,

This just came out from the woodwork in Nothern Germany.

It's the death mask of "Friedrich der Grosse" nicely marked inside with an eagle and "Formstöberei........Berlin"
Along with the mask the book "Die Vollendenen" dated 1941 writen by Rosemarie Clausen, where the mask is shown along with some other deathmasks.

So, since this is not my field of collection at all, I would be happy, if any one could tell me what these Totenmasken where used for, could any one just buy them or were they used as gifts?

[AJ]

#2

[AJ]

#3

[Br. James]

Dear AJ,

What a unique and exciting piece of history! How does the photo caption in "Die Vollendenen" describe this death mask? Death masks have a very long history in the USA and throughout the world, and this may have been created as a memento of the king...but it certainly is a wonderful snapshot of that great German prince!

Br. James

[Thorsten B.]

Certainly an interesting item.

Creating death masks was to be a part of TR state art programm for commemorating it´s heroes in the past and present - the most known example is the death mask of Heydrich visable en masse on the Heydrich rememberance stamp in 1942.

Friedrich der Grosse was actually more than a prince since he was König von und in Preußen as well as Kurfürst von Brandenburg.

[Br. James]

Thanks Thorsten. The use of the title "prince" is a long-standing term of status used among the royalty particularly. I believe it predates even Elizabeth I of England, who occasionally referred to herself as a "prince" among the barons of her day.

Br. James