Description:

WOOD FESTIVAL BOWL FROM WEWELSBURG CASTLE
Rare relic from Wewelsburg Castle, the cultural and spiritual center of the SS, an ornately carved wood "festival bowl" used at SS wedding ceremonies and during solstice festivals. The oval bowl, probably oak, measures 13 1/2" x 8 1/4" and sits 1 1/4" high. Three oak leaves are carved at either end of the bowl with runic symbols in relief on the remainder of the rim of the bowl, with the addition of a swastika, totenkopf ("Death's head) and SS emblems. The bottom of the bowl bears a checkered pattern often seen on Eastern Front walking sticks. The bowl bears a chip on its right rim and has some slight soiling due simply to its age, but is in otherwise very good condition, housed in a lucite display case. The bowl was designed by Karl Maria Wiligut (1866-1946) who enthralled Himmler in 1933 with his theories on ancient German religions and beliefs. Willigut was inducted into the SS (under the pseudonym "Karl Maria Weisthor") to head the Department for Pre- and Early History. He soon became a chief ideologue for the SS and contributed significantly to the development of Wewelsburg as the order-castle and ceremonial center of SS pseudo-religious practice. He officiated in the role of priest at weddings of SS men, and this bowl was used by him at those ceremonies to contain bread and salt. Wiligut also designed the Totenkopfring, which Himmler personally awarded to prestigious SS officers. This bowl is cited in historian Don Boyle's reference SS Totenkopf H. Himmler Honor Ring 1933-1945, a copy of which is included in the sale.

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December 8, 2011 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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