A fabulous example of a boxed

World War One

Sweetheart Necklace

for the wife or girlfriend of a

Imperial German Air Force (or Navy)

Aircrew-Observer

1914-1918

 

Obtained in France in a German jeweller's case marked

E. Nicolas-Sailerin

METZ

the small brooch measures approx 2" in length

and is a miniature facsimile of the 

Imperial German Air Force's 

Aviator-Observer's Qualification Badge

and suspended on a long matt-silver colour chain.

 

Appearing to be streaked in bronze it is not entirely clear if it is actually

a silver finish, (so denoting the Kaiser's Air Force),

or Bronze/Gold (for The Kaiser's Naval Air Arm),

however it is a most beautiful sweetheart necklace 

that has obviously been worn

and much loved by the Observer's wife or girlfriend!

 

As for the history of the 

City of Metz

it was annexed from France in the 

Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71

but reunited with France in 1918

at the cessation of the Great War hostilities.

 

But in 1940 Metz once more returned to Germany following 

Germany's annexation in 1940,

only for it to finally return to France once again in 1945 at the Liberation.

 

Today Metz is staunchly French, however when this wee necklace

was produced, Metz was most assuredly located in Germany..!

 

An evocative  & rare Imperial German sweetheart necklace

in very nice worn, but non-stamped condition,

(though slightly tarnished in one section on the back and

with a similarly worn box ..with a stain to the lid),

celebrating & revering a 

German Aircrew Observer

in 

Imperial Germany's First World War Air Arm.