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Large stoneware urn in memory of Karl Gall

Date made: mid 20th century

Description: A large stoneware urn, with green and cream decoration. On one side is a portrait of Karl Gall (wearing motorcycle helmet), on the other side is a depiction of Gall aboard a BMW motorcycle. Two angels form handles on the other sides. A German inscription suggests that the urn was intended to be a trophy for a memorial race for Gall, who was killed in June 1939 at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) races. However, given that war broke out in September that year, it may be that this never happened. Gall was a Nazi stormtrooper who along with Georg Meier was a member of a paramilitary German motorcycle corps, which competed at the TT in 1938 and 1939 in order to win glory for the Third Reich, and thus prove Ayrian superiority.

The depiction of Gall is stylistically similar to that on the memorial plaque to him on the Mountain course at Ballaugh Bridge.

During practice for the 1939 TT on 2 June, Karl Gall crashed. He was taken to Ramsey Cottage Hospital with severe head injuries and died on 13 June 1939 due to his injuries and the effects of pneumonia in hospital. In 1939 Meier stormed to victory in the Senior race aboard the supercharged Kompressor motorcycle. The win was a great propaganda coup for Hitler, and as a reward Meier was promoted to Lieutenant.

Measurements: 26cm x 26cm x 40cm

Materials: ceramic, metal: gold, gold leaf, oil gilding, paint: oil

Object name: urn

Collection: Social History Collection

ID Number: 2017-0156

Subject tags : #TT&MOTORSPORT

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