Gala uniform coat, Prussian Ministry of Finance, circa 1910
Such elaborately decorated uniform coats were worn by civil servants in the Prussian Ministry of Finance for special occasions. The complete outfit also included trousers, a hat, a necktie, and a waistcoat. Medals and honors were attached to a band buckle. Unlike field uniforms, civilian uniforms were adorned with magnificent embroidery, especially on jacket and sleeve cuffs. What does such a uniform have to do with migration? To understand this, one must know the story of Curt Kosswig. He was born in Berlin in 1903 and inherited this uniform from his father, who was a confidential senior finance advisor in the Prussian Ministry of Finance. With the rise of the National Socialists, Curt Kosswig was forced into exile in Istanbul due to his solidarity with his Jewish colleagues. His father’s uniform was among his belongings. For the son, this piece of clothing symbolizes prestige and recognition — status symbols he must re-earn in Turkey. At the same time, the uniform also represents the Prussian virtues of humility and discipline, which, due to his father’s upbringing, are formative for Curt Kosswig’s character. The uniform accompanies the zoologist throughout his life and is carefully preserved by the family even after his death.
