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Original Berlin Wall Fragment – Large Concrete Piece with Graffiti, Steel Reinforcement & Eagle – Cold War Relic
Offered here is an extraordinary and highly decorative historical piece associated with the Berlin Wall and the Cold War era.
History and Provenance
I purchased this piece personally in Berlin during the 1990s, at the well-known Krempelmarkt flea market at Potsdamer Platz.
At the time, the area around Potsdamer Platz was undergoing enormous changes following the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification.
I bought the piece directly from an unknown self-described artist from Friedrichshain, Berlin.
Unfortunately, I no longer know the artist\'s name and no written documentation or certificate accompanied the piece.
I have owned and preserved it ever since.
Why This Piece Has Always Been Special to Me.
This artwork fascinated me from the moment I saw it because, to me, its individual elements tell the story of division and freedom in a particularly powerful way.
The large eagle represents freedom and the human longing to be free.
In contrast, the strong, hard steel reinforcement gives the impression of confinement — almost like being behind the bars of a prison, with seemingly no escape and little hope.
The substantial Berlin Wall concrete fragment itself represents the coldness, weight and apparently insurmountable character of the Wall that once divided Berlin.
Against this grey and imposing concrete are the remains of colorful graffiti-style paint. To me, these colors symbolize the wishes and dreams of people — their longing for freedom, happiness, joy and a life without barriers.
Together, the concrete, steel, colors and eagle create a striking contrast between division and freedom, confinement and hope.
The Berlin Wall Fragment
The concrete fragment measures
approximately 10 cm high × 7 cm wide (3.9 × 2.8 inches) and the complete piece weighs approximately 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs).
A particularly impressive feature is the substantial exposed steel reinforcement/wire incorporated into the concrete.
Together with the remaining paint and the large metal eagle, it gives the piece a powerful sculptural appearance.
In my years of collecting and observing Berlin Wall memorabilia, I have personally never encountered another piece quite like this, combining such a substantial concrete fragment, exposed reinforcement and an artistic eagle composition.
For me, this makes it a particularly unusual survivor and display piece.
An Impressive Historical Display Piece
Because of its size, weight and strong visual symbolism, this object would make an impressive centerpiece in an artist\'s studio, law office, bank, company office, historical collection or museum display.
It would, of course, also make a striking piece for a private collection or home office.
It is more than simply a piece of concrete: it is an artwork that combines a physical reminder of divided Berlin with the universal themes of freedom, hope and the human desire to overcome barriers.
Details
Origin: Berlin, Germany
Acquired: Berlin, 1990s
Place acquired: Krempelmarkt flea market, Potsdamer Platz
Seller at the time: Unknown self-described artist from Friedrichshain, Berlin
Period represented: Berlin Wall / Cold War era.
Weight: Approx. 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)
Concrete fragment: Approx. 10 × 7 cm (3.9 × 2.8 inches)
Materials: Concrete, exposed steel reinforcement/wire, paint and metal eagle
Condition: Original aged condition with visible wear, oxidation and surface imperfections.
Important Provenance Information
The above provenance describes my personal recollection of purchasing the object in Berlin during the 1990s.
The object is therefore offered as an attributed original Berlin Wall fragment, based on the circumstances under which I acquired it and its physical characteristics.
A fascinating and highly decorative historical object for collectors of Berlin Wall, Cold War, DDR/GDR, German history, historical memorabilia and contemporary historical art.
