A Gilded Vase and a Scandal That Shook the German Empire
A gilded porcelain vase, adorned with an iguana and a bouquet of fruits topped with a pineapple, is currently up for sale at the Berlin branch of Germany’s Lempertz auction house. Estimated to fetch between €300,000 and €450,000, this ornate piece of queer history is believed to have been a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last emperor of Germany, to his close friend Prince Philipp of Eulenburg-Hertefeld.
The relationship between the Kaiser and Prince Eulenburg became the center of a scandal that would come to be known as the Eulenburg Affair. This scandal not only shook the German Empire but also played a significant role in the eventual downfall of the monarchy. According to historian Norman Domeier, the affair had a profound impact on European society, transforming public perception of the monarchy and highlighting deep societal divisions.
Kaiser Wilhelm II ascended to the throne in 1888, and his reign was marked by erratic behavior, insecurity, and a growing authoritarian streak. He was deeply concerned with his public image and often sought the counsel of Prince Eulenburg, who rose to become one of his most influential advisors outside of parliamentary politics.
Eulenburg hosted gatherings at Liebenberg Castle, where he and his circle of friends engaged in hunting retreats and artistic events. These gatherings were characterized by a cult of neo-romantic male friendship, with members referring to each other with affectionate nicknames such as “Phili” or “Philine.” Their correspondence was filled with homoerotic expressions of friendship, as noted by historian Robert Beachy in his book “Gay Berlin: Birthplace of a Modern Identity.”
The scandal took a dramatic turn when journalist Maximilian Harden, a nationalist critic of the Kaiser, accused Eulenburg and his circle of influencing policy through their proximity to the emperor. Harden believed that the German threat to go to war with France over Morocco had been undermined due to information leaked at a Liebenberg gathering. His article titled “Prelude,” published in 1906, directly targeted Eulenburg, using the slang term “warm” to imply homosexuality.
Eulenburg left Berlin for Switzerland, but returned in 1907, which infuriated Harden. The subsequent trials and court martial proceedings drew international attention and were compared to the Oscar Wilde trial in England and the Dreyfus Affair in France.
One of the most sensational trials involved General Kuno von Moltke, who was accused of having a feminine side and displaying “unconscious homosexuality.” Magnus Hirschfeld, founder of the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, testified about Moltke’s sexuality, arguing that it was an innate biological trait rather than a choice. Hirschfeld’s theories gained wider public attention through the trial, challenging prevailing notions of gender and sexuality.
The Eulenburg Affair had unintended consequences for Berlin’s gay scene, leading to increased homophobia and debates about tightening Paragraph 175 of the German Criminal Code. Homosexuality became associated with a lack of patriotism and even treason. In 1908, a New Yorker newspaper suggested a “bright and cheery little war” to rid Germany of homosexuality.
The scandal ultimately led to the destruction of Eulenburg’s reputation. He was later subjected to defamation cases, and during a trial, witnesses claimed to have had sexual relations with him. After collapsing in court in 1909, he was deemed too ill to stand trial and was shunned by friends until his death in 1921.
The Liebenberg circle continued to gather around Kaiser Wilhelm II, who was never far from a scandal. During a hunting dinner in 1908, a general died of a heart attack while dressed in a pink tutu, causing the Kaiser to suffer a nervous breakdown. He was eventually sidelined during World War I and abdicated the throne in 1918, dying in exile in the Netherlands in 1941.
