France, Republic. A French First War Croix De Guerre And Belgium Solvay 25Th Anniversary Medal

Croix De Guerre, instituted April 8 1914. In bronze gilt, presenting a cross pattee with crossed swords piercing the medallion, the obverse features a right facing bust of Marianne surrounded by the inscription REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE, the reverse bears the dates 1914 1916, measures 37mm (w) x 46.2mm (h – inclusive of integral ball), dark patina, in very fine condition.

Belgium, 25th Anniversary Of Solvay Medal. In bronze, a small rectangular medal, the obverse bearing the left facing profiles of the brothers, with inscription ERNEST ET ALFRED SOLVAY along the bottom, reverse is plain with the inscription SOCIETE SOLVAY & CIE A 25E ANNIVERSAIRE, measures 28.6mm (w) x 27.7mm (h), light wear, in very fine condition.

Footnote: Solvay was created in 1863 by Ernest Solvay and his brother, Alfred. The company revolutionized the ammonia-soda process, creating the sodium carbonate (soda ash) that was used by 95% of the world in 1900. The company survived both wars and continued its global expansion.