IJzeren Kruis (Duitsland) Tweede Klasse aan lint c. 1916

This Iron Cross, Second Class, from Germany, is die-struck in iron and silver, with a fabric ribbon. Although unsigned, it would have been produced in a factory setting, likely by workers operating heavy machinery to stamp out the crosses, and others operating enameling kilns for the black finish. The Iron Cross was a military decoration awarded for bravery in battle, regardless of rank. The stark geometry and dark coloration of the cross embodies a severe, martial aesthetic, while its materiality and method of manufacture speak volumes about the industrialization of warfare. The mass production of such awards reflects a shift towards industrialized warfare and the immense scale of conflict. By emphasizing the labor and materials involved in its making, we can better appreciate the Iron Cross, not just as a symbol of bravery, but as a material artifact of a specific moment in history.