History and Provenance. 1910.

Last Updated on November 14, 2020 by Netropolitan Museum

The commemorative medal shown in the gallery below is steeped in history and provenance. It is one of two presented to Ludowika Eilers and Walter Jakobsson for their second place finish in pairs at the 1910 World Figure Skating Championships¹ in Berlin, Germany. Eilers, skating for her homeland Germany, and Jakobsson, from Finland, would go on to represent Finland as a married couple and become Olympic champions in 1920, Olympic silver medalists in 1924, and three times World Champions (1911, 1914, and 1923). The Netropolitan is honored to have both of the 1910 commemorative medals presented to the Jakobssons as part of its collection.

Measuring 1-1/8″ in diameter (2.8575 cm), the face of the medal features a depiction of the Berliner Schlittschuh Club pin at the center with laurel leaves encircling the design. The club’s familiar shield design with a black bear (an interpretation of the Berlin coat of arms) is surrounded by the club name. An of-the-era skate blade is “suspended” from the main pin. Made of a silver-color base metal and in relief, the medal has developed a warm patina over the 110 years since it was produced and presented.

The reverse side of the medal is engraved in German: “Internat. Senioren Kunstlaufen,” “2. Preis” (“International Senior Figure Skating, 2nd Prize”). Differently designed laurel leaves encircle the engraved area. The medal marks an important early World Championship event and reflects design sensibilities of the time.

The medal has developed a warm patina over the past 110 years since it was produced and presented … and marks an important early World Championship event.

A number of other medals and pins having belonged to the Jakobssons also are part the collection of The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins. Some of these pieces have already been featured at The Netropolitan (see this post about the 1928 European Championships, this post about the 1932 World Championships, and this post about the 1952 European Championships). Other pieces from the Jakobsson estate will be featured in future blog posts.

Enjoy History and Provenance. 1910.

¹In 1910, the World Figure Skating Championships were not yet formally named as such, instead often referred to as “ISU Championships” or “Senior International Championships.”

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1910 World Championships Gallery

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