Winner's Cup of the Kiel Regatta 1913 – Imperial Yacht Iduna

Imperial Regatta Cup with an extraordinary combination of materials

The winner's cup of the Kiel Regatta of May 17, 1913, won by the imperial yacht Iduna, is an outstanding object of Prussian maritime culture under Kaiser Wilhelm II. Its particular significance arises from the unique combination of Cadinen terracotta, silver from a German court workshop, and a boar's tusk – a combination that makes it one of the rarest imperial regatta cups of the late Imperial era.

Cadinen terracotta – Majolica under imperial patronage

The use of Cadinen terracotta points directly to Wilhelm II's personal commitment to the Royal Majolica Manufactory Cadinen, founded in 1904. Cadinen preferred to supply imperial gifts, honorary awards, and regatta cups. The terracotta body displays the typical warm reddish-brown Cadinen shades and is an important feature of Cadinen objects of imperial provenance.

Silverwork from court workshops – Engravings & Yacht Club symbolism

The cup is complemented by silverwork from a renowned German workshop – often Sy & Wagner, Lazarus Posen, or Joh. Wagner & Sohn, who regularly produced cups for the imperial regattas. The engravings include:

• "Kiel – 17. Mai 1913"

• "Iduna" (winning yacht)

• Reference to the "National Race"

• the burgee of the Kaiserlicher Yacht-Club (KYC)

These elements are central provenance markers for imperial silver and the representative culture of the Imperial Navy.

Boar's tusk – Hunting iconography as a symbol of strength and victory

The integrated boar's tusk is a deliberately chosen symbol from court hunting culture. In imperial iconography, the boar stood for power, courage, and victorious strength. The combination of maritime representation and hunting symbolism is typical of Wilhelm II, who understood both areas as an expression of Prussian masculinity and dynastic strength.

A key object of imperial yacht and regatta history

The cup documents not only the victory of the Iduna, but also unites the most important cultural fields of the Imperial Court: Cadinen ceramics, silver art, hunting iconography, and maritime symbolism. Such pieces are counted today among the most coveted collector's items of imperial yacht and regatta history.

Dimensions

• Diameter silver part: approx. 15 cm

• Diameter Cadinen terracotta: approx. 19 cm

• Height: approx. 16 cm