Toy Soldiers, Miniatures & Militaria Auction including Britains & Timpo - Tuesday 18 February 2025 | 09:30

Purported Death Mask of Hermann Goering. Made from a plaster waist mould and probably painted with shellac (or similar) with approx. dimensions H29 x W20 x D13cm and weighing 1.7kg. 

Hermann Wilhelm Goering (b. 12/01/1893, d. 15/10/1946). Chief of the German Luftwaffe High Command 1935 - 1945. Found guilty of Crimes Against Humanity (and other charges) at the Nuremberg Trials and sentenced to death by hanging. He committed suicide by cyanide poisoning the night before his execution. 

This mask was previously displayed at the Fort Paull Military Museum, Hull, UK until 2020, when the museum closed permanently and all the collections were sold at Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers, Hull in September 2020. According to the information displayed at the museum, it was from the 'Walkers Tussauds Co. Collection.' It is claimed that a cast was taken within 24 hours of Goering's death and that the mask was made later at Leipzig University, Germany. 

Signed by the sculptor 'M. Rottesman' & inscribed 'Municipal School of Art'. Maurice Rottesman (1901-57) was a Manchester-based sculptor who is recorded as exhibiting various works between 1926 to 1950. It is assumed the art school is Manchester, which is now part of Manchester Metropolitan University. 

Unfortunately there is no documentation to definitively prove that this was taken from the body of Goering or how it came to be made, but we invite potential bidders to make their own assessment and please contact us with any questions. 

Condition generally appears Excellent overall. The edge to the rear has previously been mounted so there is some glue residue and some mounts have been drilled in the past. However this is not visible from the front. Also included are the information sheets and pictures that had been displayed at the museum. A very unique lot. See photos.