Germany, Imperial. An Observer’s Badge, by Paul Meybauer, c. 1919

(Beobachterabzeichen). Constructed of silvered brass with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel and oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, topped by a German State Crown, surrounding a ribbed oval disc overlaid by an enameled medallion consisting of a black and white checkered square surrounded by a red border, the reverse executed in an identical ribbing, with two visible clips securing the medallion in position, with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacturer by Paul Meybauer, Berlin, in the immediate post-war (c. 1919) period, demonstrating minor flecking and loss of finish to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in striking example in extremely fine condition.