World War One, a large uniface plaque in iron, unsigned, axe piercing the head of a bear, 236mm. Extremely fine (£60-80)

A brutal but powerful medallic image. The symbolism of an axe piercing the head of a (Russian) bear is transparently obvious. The piece may date to 1915 the year of success by the Central Powers against the Russian armies on the Eastern Front. Although given to Germany the plaque may be Austrian