Germany, Imperial. A Pair of Combatant Awards, with Owner-Attributed Trench Art Box

(Auszeichnungen und Grabenkunst-Etui). An owner-attributed group to a First World War combatant, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from a Third Reich-period tri-fold ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, unmarked, measuring 42.27 mm (w) x 46.36 mm (h), weighing 16.5 grams, in extremely fine condition.

2. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Glaser & Söhne, Dresden, measuring 37.97 mm (w) x 42.88 mm (h), weighing 14.4 grams, in extremely fine condition.

3. A trench art commemorative box, constructed of lacquered wood, the lid bearing a hand-carved inscription of “ERINNERUNG KRIEGSJAHR 1914-1916” (“MEMORY OF THE WAR YEARS 1914-1916”), circumscribing a monogram that appears to feature an entwined “EP”, with an additional inscription of “DROSENDORF” along the edge (likely for the town of Drosendorf-Zissersdorf), opening to reveal a hollow compartment, the lid bearing a cursive handwritten owner’s name which appears to read “EWALD PIMPL”, otherwise unmarked, measuring 10.5 cm (w) x 8 cm (l) x 3 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.