Belgium - Military medal - 1914-1918 – Medal for Civilian Victims of War

Belgium 1914-1918 – Medal to the civilian war victims – patinated bronze – old multicolored ribbon Interesting Belgian commemorative medal from World War I, dedicated to the memory of civilian victims of the 1914-1918 conflict. This decoration testifies to a particularly tragic aspect of the Great War: the suffering endured by Belgian civilian populations during the occupation and military operations. The medal, probably made of bronze, features an original, slightly trapezoidal shape, widened at the bottom and topped by a decorative element evoking fortified architecture, accompanied by laurel branches. It has two richly worked relief faces. Face with French inscription: The inscription reads: « Aux victimes civiles de la guerre – 1914-1918 » The composition depicts a female figure accompanied by a child, in a scene evoking the suffering of civilian populations during the conflict. Face with Dutch inscription: The other side bears the inscription: « Aan de burgerlyke slachtoffers – 1914-1918 » This inscription also means “To the civilian victims of the war.” The decor presents an allegorical composition dominated by a female figure and a large bird with outstretched wings, accompanied by botanical motifs. The two faces are particularly expressive and attest to the symbolic language used in commemorative medals of the early 20th century. The ribbon The medal is accompanied by its old multicolored ribbon, featuring a sequence of rainbow-colored stripes. This ribbon adds a notably colorful touch, contrasting with the dark patina of the metal. It shows traces of age and use, notably small wear and some fraying, visible in the photographs. Historical context Belgium was one of the countries particularly tested by World War I. From August 1914, the German invasion led to significant destruction, population displacements and many civilian casualties. The events in Dinant, Leuven, Andenne and other Belgian localities left a lasting mark on collective memory. At the end of the conflict, various decorations and commemorative medals were created to honor the fighters, resistors, and civilian populations who suffered the consequences of the war. This medal fits into this commemorative tradition. Its bilingual inscription, in French and Dutch, underscores its national destination and its link to Belgian history. Dimensions and weight * Total height with ribbon: about 10 cm. * Height of the medal with suspension: about 4.6 cm. * Maximum width of the medal: 3.2 cm. * Metal thickness: about 3 mm. * Total weight with ribbon: 20 grams. Condition Good overall condition for a medal of this antique period. The metal retains a beautiful old patina, with brown and golden tones highlighting the reliefs and inscriptions. The details of the figurative compositions remain clearly visible. Presence of light signs of wear and natural oxidation related to age. The multicolored ribbon shows signs of use, small superficial wear, and some fraying, without significantly altering its aesthetic value. Overall kept in its old state, with no known restoration. This medal constitutes a particularly evocative historical testimony of World War I and its consequences on civilian populations. It will especially interest collectors of Belgian militaria, commemorative decorations, phaleristics and historical World War I memorabilia. Its original form, its two allegorical compositions, its bilingual inscriptions and its multicolored ribbon make it a particularly expressive collector’s piece. An interesting Belgian commemorative medal from 1914-1918, charged with history and representative of the memory of civilian victims of the Great War. Photos are an integral part of the description; please refer to them to judge the condition and dimensions. Fast, careful and secure shipping Specific packaging and insurance included in the shipping price. Shipping costs are calculated as accurately as possible to ensure fast, high-quality shipping with optimal protection of the object. Happy bidding

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