Commemorative Inkstand – Allied Monarchs

This porcelain double inkstand depicts the World War I allied monarchs, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and Kaiser Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary.

Identification of the Men

The figures are almost certainly the monarchs of the Central Powers at the start of World War I, a common pairing on propaganda and commemorative items from the time (c. 1914–1918).

Relationship Between the Monarchs

Kaiser Franz Joseph I and Kaiser Wilhelm II were allies and were related by distant royal bloodlines, as was common among European royalty.

• Relationship: They were both members of the vast, intermarried European royalty. Wilhelm II was the grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, and Franz Joseph I was a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. More importantly, they were the leaders of the two primary Central Powers—Germany and Austria-Hungary—during World War I (1914–1918).
• Historical Significance: This pairing on an inkstand commemorates the Triple Alliance (later the Central Powers) and the deep political and military bond between the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires that defined the start of the war.

Description of the Inkstand

Based on the images, this is a commemorative inkstand designed to celebrate the alliance of the two monarchs.

• Material: It is made of porcelain.
• Composition: The inkstand features two central bust portraits, one on either side. These busts rise above the inkwell base, framed by gilt foliage.
• Date: Given the subject matter of the ruling monarchs as allies, the piece was most likely created during the period of World War I (1914–1918) as a patriotic souvenir.