Austria, Empire. A “Death Chokes Italy” Medallion by Walther Eberbach, 1915/1916
In iron, with Death depicted as a skeleton choking a she-wolf, meant to be representative of Italy, with German “FÜR. LATEINISCHE. BUNDES./ TREUE/ 1915/ TRIENT 1916 FRIAUL” (translation: For the Latin Federation, Loyalty, Trentino [referencing a place]) on the obverse, with reverse inscribed “AN SIDNEY SONNINO DEN.REDEGEWANDTEN” (translation: To Sidney Sonnino the eloquent), making an ironic statement as a result of Italy’s declaration of war on Austria Hungary, text above a German Edelweiss, measuring at 69.5mm in diameter and weighing 94.2 grams, light contact, in extremely fine condition.

