Bamberger Reiter (Bamberg Horseman)

[J Temple-West]

Just in is this example of the "Bamberger Reiter" in terracotta from the Karlsruhe majolica factory.

A war-time produced piece depicting the head of the medieval statue found in the Cathedral of Bamberg, Germany.

Adopted by the Nazis, and in particular by Heinrich Himmler's SS, as a symbol of Nordic purity and German sprit.examples of the Bamberger Reiter were produced by a number of war-time porcelain manufacturers, such as Rosenthal, but interestingly not by Allach.

The Karlsruhe Majolica factory is the only ceramic factory in Germany which has survived every political and economic crisis of the last century and is still running today. It was founded in 1901 by the painter Hans Thoma and his friend Wilhelm Süs.

Since it was founded, the factory has responded to nearly all trends and events in cultural and art history from historicism and art nouveau to expressionism, constructivism, New Objectivity, Domestic Revival and art of the National Socialist period, to the tendencies of the 1950s and 1960s and finally to the current trends in art.

In 1924, during the Great Depression, the state of Baden took charge of the company and had to intervene several times to prevent the Staatliche "Majolika-Manufaktur Karlsruhe AG" (National Majolica Manufactory Karlsruhe Inc.) as it is now called, from closing down permanently.

During the Nazi period, modern artistic motifs were replaced by traditional ones. Apart from ceramics for usage and decoration the factory produced busts of Hitler, the eagle of the Third Reich, the swastika and symbols such as the Bamberger Reiter. As a result, the factory experienced great economic growth.

In 1944, the factory was destroyed during allied bombing raids, but was rebuilt after the wars end.

The statue of the "Bamberger Reiter" in the Cathedral of Bamberg, Germany.

Ironically, the statue may also have provided a kind of chivalric inspiration for Claus Graf von Stauffenberg, the officer who attempted to assassinate Hitler in 1944. Stauffenberg joined the elite Bamberger Reiter 17th cavalry regiment, and came to be called the Bamberger Reiter himself because of a perceived resemblance to the statue.

Seen here is part of a large building eagle, produced by the company, during a recent exhibition at the factory...the mould must have been absolutely massive!

[Robin Lumsden]

From Carinhall .....................

[Robin Lumsden]

................ und Tag der Deutschen Kunst .............

[J Temple-West]

Niiice, Robin.

Now, I know you have an example by Rosenthal....any chance of getting ye olde camera out?

[Robin Lumsden]

Here you go ................. with a few other Bamberger bits I've picked up over the years.

The eagle-eyed will spot THREE riders in the final photo.

Edited December 7, 2013 by Robin Lumsden

[J Temple-West]

Wonderful pieces, Robin....

I'm a sucker for wood carvings, and that one is Superb..."Black forest" I take it?

[Robin Lumsden]

Hello John.

In all honesty, I think the carving is too good to be the usual 'Black Forest Souvenir'. It's solid oak. Looks more like something from a Victorian-era church.

Ex- eBay.de ............................... £17.

This is an interesting photo I found on the net ....................... modern Bamberger being carved.

[Erich S]

I missed this thread so thought I would add my Reiter bust to the superb examples already posted.

[Odulf]

I would like to connect: http://gmic.co.uk/topic/63884-der-bamberger-reiter/#comment-602126

 

This statue became an icon:... for many reasons

 

[Erich S]

It's said that the Reiter is looking towards the east for lands to conquer.

Another related piece from my collection.

[Erich S]

My newest BAMBERGER Reiter pick up done in silver plate.