IRON WEDDING RINGS IN GERMANY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11189, 10 February 1897, Page 2

IRON WEDDING RINGS IN GERMANY.

{Lady's Pictorial.) Efforts are being made throughout Germany, but more particularly in Prussia, to collect as many of the famous iron wedding rings and other adornments as may still be in existence, with a view to preserving them in the museums as lasting memorials of the sacrifices which Teuton women have been ready to make in the past for the Fatherland. As everyone knows, in ISI3 an appeal was made by the ladies of the Prussian royal family to their own sex, urging every woman to follow their example, and give up their jewellery, to ho melted down in order to provide funds for patriotic purposes. Those who had nothing else were asked if they would not part with what they must surely hold most precious of all, their wedding rings, for the sake of their country, and as a response, plain golden hoops showered in upon the noble founders of the movement, no less than one hundred and fourteen reaching Berlin within the course of a few days from the town of Swinemiinde alone. As compensation, iron rings, manufactured from the captured guns of the enemy, were sent to the owners, inscribed with the now historical words, I give gold for iron,” and these were proudly worn by the wives of the men who were fighting for their country’s freedom. There must be quantities of these interesting rings scattered about, harflv valued as they deserve, perhaps, by son W f their present owners, and therefor' j ;as well they should find an honour: able , .ding-place in some public buil/iing", whex-e they will teaeh a lesson in patriotism to the rising generation. Dating from the same period, and more touching than any of these, are the watch-chains, bracelets and necklaces, made of silky golden hair, which are far rarer and very difficult to obtain. When first the scheme was set afloat, and every woman and girl was cheerfully offering up her iittle store of treasures, Perdinande (“Nanni”) von Schmettau, fourth child of a retired Prussian officer of limited means, and one of a family of eleven, found she had nothing to give. At first her grief was excessive, but suddenly it occurred to her that her beautiful long golden hair had its value, and, without a moment’s hesitation, she sold it for two thalers, on condition that it should be woven into various objects, and the proceeds handed over to the Government. Nearly two' hundred thalers were realised in this manner, and it is gratifying to know that; this greatest sacrifice of all was justly appreciated. I'rauicin von Schmettau was regarded as quite a heroine, and received the Louise Order from the Xing, while, until the date of her death, in 1875, she received many tokens of regard from the Prussian Eoyal Family.