Belgium - Military medal - 1914-1918 – Medal for Civilian Victims of War
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Selected by Marcel van Hulst
Over 35 years trading and collecting militaria with deep industry knowledge.
Estimate € 330 - € 400
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Bronze patinated Belgian commemorative medal titled '1914-1918 – Médaille aux victimes civiles de la guerre' with a multicolour ribbon, original/officiel authenticity, and in good condition.
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Description from the seller
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
Seller's Story
For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by antique objects. It was not a simple curiosity or a passing nostalgia, but a true admiration for their almost magical ability to cross eras and pass from one life to another. At 15, the age when one can finally participate in flea markets, I began to realize this passion.
However, before devoting myself fully to flea markets, I explored other fields by studying forest management and park and garden architecture. But it was after training in Antiques and Flea Markets, followed in evening classes, that I knew that my passion for antique objects would become my profession.
I have been in this field for over thirty-five years now. Over the years, I have handled and studied hundreds of thousands of objects. Each of them has taught me something, constantly enriching my perspective and expertise. Over time, I have developed an ability to identify what is valuable, not only from a material point of view, but also for the story that an object can tell.
I am convinced that in this profession, experience is worth much more than degrees. We learn by taking our time, by confronting mistakes and discoveries, by listening to those who came before us. The “old hands” in the profession, whom I was lucky enough to meet, passed on this wisdom to me: move slowly, avoid pitfalls and always remain curious.
What motivates me, beyond the objects themselves, is their history. Each piece carries a memory, a fragment of a bygone past. My mission is to reveal this story, to transmit it. Abandoned objects thus find a new meaning. This approach fits perfectly with the modern values of sustainable economy and upcycling, but for me, it is above all guided by a deep conviction.
Every day, I scour attics, garage sales, estates and auction rooms, always looking for hidden treasures. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a treasure hunter or explorer. Today, this dream has come true: in my own way, I am a hunter or, rather, a passer-by of objects. What I discover bears witness to an art of living, a know-how, an era that deserves to be preserved.
The financial aspect is only a means in this approach, never an end. What drives me is the idea of discovering, understanding and sharing. Each object, no matter how modest, has a story to tell. My role is to highlight it, to give it back its place.
In this context, Catawiki is a valuable tool. It allows me to share my discoveries with an audience of connoisseurs and enlightened amateurs, people who, like me, appreciate beautiful objects and their history.
I am pleased to present to you my findings, the fruit of decades of research and passion. Perhaps you will find among them a piece that will resonate with your own history or that will enrich your daily life. These objects are not only witnesses of the past, they are also fragments of art and life to be transmitted.
Translated by Google TranslateBelgium 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
Seller's Story
For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by antique objects. It was not a simple curiosity or a passing nostalgia, but a true admiration for their almost magical ability to cross eras and pass from one life to another. At 15, the age when one can finally participate in flea markets, I began to realize this passion.
However, before devoting myself fully to flea markets, I explored other fields by studying forest management and park and garden architecture. But it was after training in Antiques and Flea Markets, followed in evening classes, that I knew that my passion for antique objects would become my profession.
I have been in this field for over thirty-five years now. Over the years, I have handled and studied hundreds of thousands of objects. Each of them has taught me something, constantly enriching my perspective and expertise. Over time, I have developed an ability to identify what is valuable, not only from a material point of view, but also for the story that an object can tell.
I am convinced that in this profession, experience is worth much more than degrees. We learn by taking our time, by confronting mistakes and discoveries, by listening to those who came before us. The “old hands” in the profession, whom I was lucky enough to meet, passed on this wisdom to me: move slowly, avoid pitfalls and always remain curious.
What motivates me, beyond the objects themselves, is their history. Each piece carries a memory, a fragment of a bygone past. My mission is to reveal this story, to transmit it. Abandoned objects thus find a new meaning. This approach fits perfectly with the modern values of sustainable economy and upcycling, but for me, it is above all guided by a deep conviction.
Every day, I scour attics, garage sales, estates and auction rooms, always looking for hidden treasures. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a treasure hunter or explorer. Today, this dream has come true: in my own way, I am a hunter or, rather, a passer-by of objects. What I discover bears witness to an art of living, a know-how, an era that deserves to be preserved.
The financial aspect is only a means in this approach, never an end. What drives me is the idea of discovering, understanding and sharing. Each object, no matter how modest, has a story to tell. My role is to highlight it, to give it back its place.
In this context, Catawiki is a valuable tool. It allows me to share my discoveries with an audience of connoisseurs and enlightened amateurs, people who, like me, appreciate beautiful objects and their history.
I am pleased to present to you my findings, the fruit of decades of research and passion. Perhaps you will find among them a piece that will resonate with your own history or that will enrich your daily life. These objects are not only witnesses of the past, they are also fragments of art and life to be transmitted.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
Object title
1914-1918 – Medal for Civilian Victims of War
Country of origin
Belgium
Material
Bronze
Condition
Good condition
Authenticity
Original/official
Comes with certificate of authenticity
No
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