AN AUSTRIAN GILT BRONZE, SILVERED COPPER AND ENAMEL, MOUNTED OAK PRESENTATION BOX BY AUGUST KLEIN WITH PROVENANCE TO THE HOUSE OF BISMARCK, CIRCA 1895 Of rectangular form with foliate handles and scrolling feet, the later leather inset top centred by a medallion of Friederich Ludwig Jahn within an enamel band inscribed Uns Deutschen kann nur durch Deutsche geholfen werden - Freiderich Ludwig Jahn with the Prince Otto von Bismarck coat of arms above a dated enamel cartouche 1815-1895, all within oak leaf borders, the lid opening to reveal a red velvet and silk lined interior containing a folio and various dedications 21cm high, 55cm wide, 39cm deep Provenance: The present lot is by repute from the collection Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck and was presumably kept at his Berlin residence, the Reichskanzlei or palace. Thence by descent. Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg, known as Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) was a conservative Prussian statesman and was the first Chancellor of the German Empire between 1871 and 1890 after German unification which he is today considered largely responsible. At the time of unification, Bismarck styled himself as Imperial Chancellor of the unified German states as well retaining control of Prussia although Austria was excluded. Bismarck's diplomancy and powerful rule at home gained him the nickname 'The Iron Chancellor'. The House of Bismarck was a noble German family which rose to prominence in the 19th century largely through the achievements of Otto von Bismarck. He was granted the ducal title Duke of Lauenburg for his lifetime, a hereditary comital title in 1865 and the hereditary title of Prince of Bismarck in 1871. Several of his descendants, notably his son Herbert, Prince of Bismarck, were also politicians. The portrait image of Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778-1852) applied to the casket is presumably to affirm German nationalistic pride. Jahn was considered the 'father of gymnastics' founding the turnverein (gymnastics club) movement in Germany. He was also a fervent patriot, believing that physical education was the cornerstone of national health and strength which was crucial in strengthening character and German national identity. Jahn penned a vigorous defence of cultural nationalism in his work 'Das Deutsches Volkstum (German Nationality) in 1810 and it was this publication which rose to prominence after the German Unification and hence why his image is portrayed on the casket with an inscription which translates 'Germans can only be helped by Germans'