1741 - Flag, Standard

Flag, Standard Austria, Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, House of Habsburg, 17th/18th century, dated (?) 1633. Rectangular flag fabric made of red velvet, exquisitely embroidered with gold and silver threads. It shows some wear in places but is in good to very good overall condition. On both sides, the imperial coat of arms is depicted with the Habsburg double-headed eagle—including the banded shield as the breast shield—beneath the imperial crown. On the front, below the coat of arms, is the year “1633.” Border with short red-and-yellow fringes. Attached to a broken cavalry lance dating from around 1600, as well as to a right-angled iron frame, via neatly sewn leather sleeves. Tip in the shape of an iron lance ferrule. Above the break in the shaft is a rectangular iron bracket with a ring attached to it, presumably for fastening to a saddle or carrying harness. Dimensions: flag cloth 61 cm x 51 cm; pole length 194.5 cm.