Germany, Imperial. A Medal Bar for Boxer Rebellion, First World War, and Civil Service, with Ribbon Bars

(Ordenschnalle mit Bandschnallen). An extensive medal bar for a recipient with a storied career as a combatant during the Boxer Rebellion and First World War, who subsequently rendered distinguished civil service, featuring ten decorations, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original 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 an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, without visible marks, measuring 42.80 mm (w) x 46.98 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Bavarian Military Merit Cross, II Class with Swords and Crown, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse overlaid by a central black enameled medallion bearing a raised monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, with crossed swords riveted to the twelve o’clock position, the reverse bearing a central Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866” with arabesques, topped by a crown suspension with a loop connecting to a period original ribbon, without visible marks, measuring 41.87 mm (w) x 64.83 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Paul Meybauer, Berlin, measuring 37.52 mm (w) x 40.95 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A Medal of the Order of the Red Eagle, constructed of gilded copper, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised depiction of the cross of the order, the reverse bearing a monogram of King Wilhelm I, topped by a crown suspension, unmarked, measuring 24.92 mm (w) x 36.58 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. A General Honour Decoration, II Class, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a wreathed inscription of “VERDIENST UM DEN STAAT” (“SERVICE TO THE STATE”), the reverse bearing a monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm III, unmarked, measuring 39.28 mm in diameter, demonstrating a patina throughout the base metal, better than very fine condition.

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

7. A Prussian 25-Year Long Service Award for Officers, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm III, the reverse bearing a central number “25” in Roman numerals, unmarked, measuring 40.08 mm (w) x 44.02 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

8. A Civil Service 25-Year Faithful Service Award, constructed of gilded bronze with enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms joined through the quadrants by a circular oak leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a black enameled swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE”), unmarked, measuring 41.40 mm (w) x 46.32 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

9. An Olympic Games Commemorative Medal, constructed of silvered magnetic metal,  on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a column topped by Olympics rings and overlaid by a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika flanked by a date of “1936”, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR VERDIENSTVOLLE MITARBEIT BEI DEN OLYMPISCHEN SPIELEN 1936” (“FOR MERITORIOUS ASSISTANCE TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES OF 1936”), unmarked, measuring 37.26 mm in diameter, demonstrating loss of finish throughout the base metal, in very fine condition.

10. A Medal of the Order of the Crown, constructed of gilded copper, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised depiction of the cross of the order, the reverse bearing a monogram of King Wilhelm I, topped by a crown suspension, unmarked, measuring 25.12 mm (w) x 37.58 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 250 mm-long bar with a horizontal pinback, black wool liner, and magnetic metal core, demonstrating minor fatigue and soiling to the ribbons, in near extremely fine condition, and accompanied by two matching ribbon bars, both measuring 150 mm in length and with horizontal pinbacks, with the Medal of the Order of the Crown presented in a superior position to the medal bar, both demonstrating minor soiling and fatigue, in near extremely fine condition.