Germany, Imperial. A Rare Boxer Rebellion and First World War Non-Combatant Medal Bar, by Godet

(Ordensschnalle). A fine medal bar featuring a scarce combination of five awards, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original non-combatant’s 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, without visible marks, measuring 42.52 mm (w) x 46.60 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Red Cross Medal, III Class, constructed of silvered magnetic metal, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Geneva Cross with ribbed arms culminating in royal crowns,  joined through the quadrants by the initials of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FUER VERDIENSTE UM DAS ROTHE KREUZ” (“FOR SERVICE TO THE RED CROSS”), flanked by an oak leaf branch, unmarked, measuring 33.55 mm in diameter, demonstrating moderate surface oxidation, in very fine condition.

3. A China Medal for Combatants, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a circular laurel leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a raised depiction of a German national eagle grappling with a Chinese dragon, the reverse bearing a central raised monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, circumscribed by an inscription of "DEN SIEGREICHEN STREITERN" (“TO THE VICTORIOUS WARRIORS”), unmarked, measuring 32.62 mm in diameter, demonstrating a possible repair to the suspension loop, in better than very fine condition.

4. A Kaiser Wilhelm I Centenary Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 38.86 mm in diameter, in better than very fine condition.

5. A Württemberg Wilhelm Cross for War Merit, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of King WIlhelm II, the six o’clock arm bearing a date of “1915”, the twelve o’clock arm bearing a royal crown, the reverse bearing a central wreathed inscription of “KRIEGS-VERDIENST” (“WAR MERIT”), unmarked, measuring 43.95 mm (w) x 47.86 mm (h), demonstrating some tarnishing, in better than very fine condition.

All suspended from a 155 mm-long bar with a magnetic metal core, horizontal pinback, and grey wool liner, retaining a maker’s label reading “J. GODET & SOHN, KÖNIGL. HOFJUWELIERE, BERLIN W. CHARLOTTENSTR. 55”, demonstrating extensive mothing throughout the liner in addition to some soiling of the ribbons, a fine example of a bar assembled by the pre-eminent source for Imperial-era award displays in very fine condition.