Germany, Imperial. A Hohenzollern & Saxe-Ernestine Medal Bar

(Ordensschnalle). An extensive First World War-period medal bar featuring six decorations, including 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 three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, unmarked, measuring 42.36 mm (w) x 46.20 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; a House Order of Hohenzollern, Knight’s Cross with Swords, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with black and white enameled arms, the obverse with a central white enameled disc bearing a hand-painted Hohenzollern imperial eagle, within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “VOM FELS ZUM MEER” (“FROM THE CLIFFS TO THE SEA”), with gilt crossed swords through the centrepiece, the reverse with a central white enameled disc bearing a gilt monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt institution date of “DEN 18 JANUAR 1851”, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a hollow gilt crown suspension, the six o’clock arm maker marked “J.G. & S.” for J. Godet & Sohn, Berlin, with a silver content number of “938”, measuring 39.23 mm (w) x 58.86 mm (h), with minor flecking of enamels evident, in overall extremely fine condition.

A Friedrich August Cross, constructed of blackened bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, with its arms joined through the quadrants by a laurel leaf wreath, the obverse with pebbled arms, with central monogram of Grand Duke Friedrich Augustus II, the six o’clock arm bearing a date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm bearing a raised crown, unmarked, measuring 39.20 mm (w) x 43.09 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; a Saxe-Ernestine House Order, I Class Cross with Swords, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms and ball finials, with crosses swords through the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central raised gilt profile of Duke Ernst, within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “FIDELITER & CONSTANTER” (“FAITHFUL & STEADFAST”), within an enameled laurel wreath, the reverse with an enameled Saxe-Ernestine coat of arms, within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt date of “D. 25. DECEMBER 1888”, the twelve o’clock arm with a hollow silver crown suspension, unmarked, measuring 45.70 mm (w) x 69.07 mm (h), with some flecking of enamels evident, in overall near extremely fine condition; a Braunschweig War Merit Cross, II Class, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with a central monogram of Duke Ernst August, flanked by oak leaves, the six o’clock arm bearing a date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGER” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 30.33 mm (w) x 32.70 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition, and; an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, with crossed swords through the centrepiece, the obverse with central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Gustav Danner, Mühlhausen, measuring 37.78 mm (w) x 43.35 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; all professionally affixed to a 180 mm-long bronze bar with a horizontal pinback and rose-pink wool reverse liner, unmarked, in extremely fine condition.