A Rare Lithuanian Medal Of The Star Of The National Guard

Bronze, obverse illustrating crossed rifles imposed on a circular target, fronted by a shield bearing the patriarchal cross of Lithuania surmounted by the National Guard Star, an open book below with Petras Rimša’s "Wise Owl" insignia perched upon it, surrounded by an open-ended wreath of oak leaves, reverse illustrating a deserted battlefield with cottages in the background, inscribed "DIRBK IR BUDEK LIETUVOS GARBEI" (Watch and Work for Lithuania’s Glory) below a ribbon banner inscribed "1919-1939" above, surrounded by an open-ended wreath of laurel leaves, 33.8 mm, replacement ribbon, near mint.

Footnote: The medal was instituted in 1939, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the founding of Lithuania’s National Guard and awarded to its members, accompanied by certificates signed by Brigadier General S. Rastikis, Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Colonel Saladzious, Chief of the National Guard Association. The medal was designed by Petras Rimša (1881-1961), widely acknowledged as one of Lithuania’s foremost sculptors and medallists, and were manufactured by Huguenin Frères at Le Locle in Switzerland. The only award list for the medal was published in June 1939 and contained just 2,083 names.