Germany, Imperial. A Mixed Lot of First World War Patriotic Badges

(Abzeichen). A mixed lot of eight First World War patriotic badges, including:

1. A large Dual Alliance badge, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of an Imperial German tri-colour flag overlaid by the flags of Austria and Hungary, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 30 mm (w) x 25 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A small Dual Alliance badge, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of mirrored German and Austrian flags, joined together at the bottom by a loop from which descends a 1914 Iron Cross pendant, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 28 mm (w) x 20 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. A Dual Alliance patriotic badge, constructed of gilded and silvered bronze, the obverse consisting of a circular laurel and oak leaf wreath, surrounding a gilded medallion bearing leftward-facing profiles of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Franz Joseph, circumscribed by an inscription of “DEUTSCHE TREUE 1914” (“GERMAN LOYALTY 1914”), the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 30 mm (w) x 30 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A Dual Alliance patriotic pendant, constructed of coppered bronze, on loop for suspension, the obverse consisting of a sword topped by a laurel wreath and banner bearing an inscription of “VIRIBUS UNITIS” (“WITH UNITED FORCES”), flanked by profiles of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Franz Joseph, unmarked, measuring 30 mm (w) x 35 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. A 1915 patriotic badge, constructed of silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, horizontal pinback, the obverse consisting of a red enameled Cross Pattée, joined together through the quadrants by black enameled voids and a banner bearing an inscription of “GOTT HELFE WEITER 1915” (“GOD HELPS 1915”), the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 20 mm (w) x 25 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

6. A Red Cross badge, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a white enameled shield bearing a central red Geneva Cross, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 24 mm (w) x 28 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

7. A large first war year badge, constructed of silvered bronze, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, topped by a 1914 Iron Cross pendant, overlaid by a pair of crossed swords bearing an imperial eagle, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 35 mm (w) x 40 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

8. A patriotic Austrian badge, constructed of gilded magnetic metal, the obverse featuring a black-and-white portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph and later-Emperor Karl, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 30 mm (w) x 22 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.