AN IMPERIAL PRUSSIAN PRESENTATION SHABRAQUE (PARADE SADDLE CLOTH) BEARING THE...
AN IMPERIAL PRUSSIAN PRESENTATION SHABRAQUE (PARADE SADDLE CLOTH) BEARING THE INSIGNIA OF THE ORDER OF THE BLACK EAGLE
Prussia, c. 1898
Made from a thick natural felt backing covered in a vibrant scarlet red wool field, trimmed with a double border of woven silver metallic galloon surrounding a central line of dark velvet, the two lower rear corners feature large, elaborate embroidered stars represengin the Royal Prussian Order of the Black Eagle, crafted in high-relief silver bullion and coloured thread and sequins, the central medallions finely worked in gold bullion and coloured thread, depicting the corwned Prussian eagle framed by the Order's motto: Suum Cuique (to each according to their merits), each star is surmounted by a heavily padded three-dimensional Hohenzollern Royal Crown in gold and silver metallic wire, the reverse retains its original unbleached felt substrate and brown leather saddle-girth reinforcement flaps.
Overall size 105cm x 78cm; order badge 13.5cm x 13.5cm; royal crown 12.5cm x 10cm.
This presentation saddle cloth (shabraque) is an extraordinary artifact of equestrian diplomacy, linked directly to Emperor Wilhelm II’s famous 1898 voyage across the Ottoman Levant (Orientreise).
Accompanied by Empress Augusta Victoria and a lavish retinue, Wilhelm II journeyed through Constantinople, Jerusalem, Beirut, Damascus, and Baalbek to strengthen political and economic ties with Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Contemporary observers marveled at the grandeur of the Imperial party, which carried state decorations, fine weaponry, and ceremonial horse accoutrements produced by Prussian royal purveyors as diplomatic gifts.
The recipient of this piece, Marquis Moussa de Freige (1849–1916), was a leading figure in Beirut’s Maronite Christian aristocracy and business elite. His influence within international diplomatic circles was further anchored by his marriage to Alexandrina von Weckbecker, daughter of Baron Freiherr Philipp von Weckbecker—an Austro-Hungarian diplomat and Consul General in Beirut. Integrated into high Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman administrative circles, Marquis de Freige served as a prominent local host during the Kaiser's passage through Lebanon.
Equine presentation goods bearing the star of Prussia’s highest order of chivalry—the Order of the Black Eagle—were reserved strictly for imperial use or high-level sovereign gifts, making this well-documented piece a centerpiece of late 19th-century diplomatic history.
Provenance:
Gift of Emperor Wilhem II (1898) presented during the Imperial tour (Orientreise) to the Middle East.
Collection of Marquis Moussa de Freige (1849-1916).
By descent: Collection of the de Freige family.
Acquired by the present owner at auction 'Succession de Freige' Beirut, April 2019.
AN IMPERIAL PRUSSIAN PRESENTATION SHABRAQUE (PARADE SADDLE CLOTH) BEARING THE INSIGNIA OF THE ORDER OF THE BLACK EAGLE
Prussia, c. 1898
Made from a thick natural felt backing covered in a vibrant scarlet red wool field, trimmed with a double border of woven silver metallic galloon surrounding a central line of dark velvet, the two lower rear corners feature large, elaborate embroidered stars represengin the Royal Prussian Order of the Black Eagle, crafted in high-relief silver bullion and coloured thread and sequins, the central medallions finely worked in gold bullion and coloured thread, depicting the corwned Prussian eagle framed by the Order's motto: Suum Cuique (to each according to their merits), each star is surmounted by a heavily padded three-dimensional Hohenzollern Royal Crown in gold and silver metallic wire, the reverse retains its original unbleached felt substrate and brown leather saddle-girth reinforcement flaps.
Overall size 105cm x 78cm; order badge 13.5cm x 13.5cm; royal crown 12.5cm x 10cm.
This presentation saddle cloth (shabraque) is an extraordinary artifact of equestrian diplomacy, linked directly to Emperor Wilhelm II’s famous 1898 voyage across the Ottoman Levant (Orientreise).
Accompanied by Empress Augusta Victoria and a lavish retinue, Wilhelm II journeyed through Constantinople, Jerusalem, Beirut, Damascus, and Baalbek to strengthen political and economic ties with Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Contemporary observers marveled at the grandeur of the Imperial party, which carried state decorations, fine weaponry, and ceremonial horse accoutrements produced by Prussian royal purveyors as diplomatic gifts.
The recipient of this piece, Marquis Moussa de Freige (1849–1916), was a leading figure in Beirut’s Maronite Christian aristocracy and business elite. His influence within international diplomatic circles was further anchored by his marriage to Alexandrina von Weckbecker, daughter of Baron Freiherr Philipp von Weckbecker—an Austro-Hungarian diplomat and Consul General in Beirut. Integrated into high Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman administrative circles, Marquis de Freige served as a prominent local host during the Kaiser's passage through Lebanon.
Equine presentation goods bearing the star of Prussia’s highest order of chivalry—the Order of the Black Eagle—were reserved strictly for imperial use or high-level sovereign gifts, making this well-documented piece a centerpiece of late 19th-century diplomatic history.
Provenance:
Gift of Emperor Wilhem II (1898) presented during the Imperial tour (Orientreise) to the Middle East.
Collection of Marquis Moussa de Freige (1849-1916).
By descent: Collection of the de Freige family.
Acquired by the present owner at auction 'Succession de Freige' Beirut, April 2019.
