Large oval silvered ‘Kriegsmetall’ zinc alloy medal with eyelet and original loop for ribbon suspension; the face with the heads of Grand Duchesses Feodora and Maria Paulowna facing right, circumscribed ‘FEODORA MCMXV – MARIA PAULOWNA – MDCCCXV – GROSSHERZOGINNEN VON SACHSEN’ (Feodora 1915 – Maria Paulowna 1815 Grand Duchesses of Saxony); the reverse with the crowned cipher ‘WEF’ (for Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst and Grand Duchess Feodora), dated ‘XV. AUGUST / MCMXV’ below, circumscribed ‘FRAUEN – VERDIENST – IM KRIEGE’ (Women – Merit – in Wartime); silvering worn; height excluding suspension loop 52.65mm (2.07 inches); on original ribbon mounted for wear. The award was instituted by Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst on 15 August 1915 to be awarded to ladies and young ladies who distinguished themselves through outstanding accomplishment in war welfare service. Grand Duchess Feodora was patron of the Grand Duchy of Saxony’s Ladies Union, founded in 1815 by Grand Duchess Maria Paulovna to aid those who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. The portrait on the face was by Professor Römer and the medal was struck in Munich. The medal was originally intended to be manufactured in silver but by March 1918 when the first examples were delivered, shortages of material led to the medal being produced in zinc alloy ‘Kriegsmetall’. The medal is rare.
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