Germany, Imperial. A Medal Bar for a Boxer Rebellion Combatant, with Postcard

(Ordenschnalle mit Einsatz in China). A medal bar featuring two decorations, including:

1. A China Medal for Combatants, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a double-sided circular laurel wreath, the obverse bearing a depiction of a German eagle grappling with a Chinese dragon, the reverse bearing a monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, circumscribed by an inscription of “DEM SIEGREICHEN STREITERN / 1900 CHINA 1901” (“TO THE VICTORIOUS FIGHTERS / 1900 CHINA 1901”), unmarked, measuring 32.62 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

2. A Kaiser Wilhelm I Centenary Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 39.70 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

Both suspended from a 75 mm-long trapezoidal bar with a red wool liner and horizontal pinback, demonstrating moderate fatigue and soiling to the ribbons, with evidence of the removal of two campaign bars to the ribbon of the China Medal, in very fine condition.

Accompanied by a period postcard, the obverse featuring an elaborate embossed and multi-coloured ink depiction of a German national eagle overlaid by double-sided depictions of the China Medal, above a defeated and supine Chinese dragon, flanked by a brief handwritten dedication dated 7 August 1901, the reverse addressed to a recipient in Reitbrook (Allermöhe, Hamburg area), measuring 14 cm (w) x 9 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.