Description
3/4/26- For sale is an extremely rare Nazi era mayor's chain of office. In our research, we could only find two sold online, and a few single links, so whole chains are extremely scarce offerings! Grand chain collars have served as symbols of political loyalty and authority since the medieval era, especially in western Europe. The chains would bear the image or symbol of the nation's leader in order to display the source of the wearer's authority, along with decorative elements representing the area being governed. The tradition of ornate chains of office likely originated in France and Britain around the 1300s and by roughly 1800 had spread across Europe, including into Germany. During the Nazi era, the tradition continued, with Hitler and the Nazi regime taking every opportunity to symbolize their power over the state and control over their citizens' daily life.
This chain, as stated, comes from the Nazi era of Germany. Decorative and symbolic items fell out of fashion as the war was gradually lost and the regime crumbled, so this chain most likely comes from the early or middle 1930s. The central shield bears the Nazi eagle and the words "Gemeinde Rulzheim", which translates roughly to "Community/municipality Rulzheim". Research shows that Rulzheim is a town in south-western Germany with about 10,000 people. Hanging below the central shield is a medallion of Hitler's head with the text "Der Fuhrer und Reichskanzler Adolf Hitler", translated to "The Leader and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler". The back of the medallion has the text "Gemeinde Rulzheim" in plain lettering, along with an oak leaf bordering, indicating that this medallion and larger central shield come from the same original chain. The links that make up the chain alternate between a decorative geometric and oak pattern on one set of links and then links that symbolize various industries and activities in the area of the community. The links seem to show the Rod of Hermes (the Caduceus), the swastika with grain and sword emblem of the Reich Food Authority, a pencil or cigar item, a hatchet and branch likely representing forestry, the pencil/cigar again, the gear and swastika symbol of the DAF labor organization, and a mallet with acorn and oak leaf, likely representing construction or some other trade. The decorative links have leaves along with a textured geometric edging. The chain appears to have originally been plated or washed with a brighter silver color that has mostly worn off to reveal the duller base metal underneath, likely a zinc mix. There is patina on all pieces, especially in corners or on the edges of raised elements, although there is no serious damage or evidence of rust. All the chain links and small links between the larger medallions are intact. Chain is overall in excellent condition and an extremely rare piece!
