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WORLD WAR ONE FRENCH VETERANS
COMMEMORATIVE BRONZE PLAQUES – UNION NATIONALE des
COMBATTANTS (NATIONAL UNION OF COMBATANTS) – SPECTACULAR
PAIR WITH FINE DETAIL AND A BEAUTIFUL AGED PATINA:
This is a matched pair, or two single, identical pieces,
commemorating the French Union Nationale des
Combattants (UNC) [National Union of Combatants].
The concept of the UNC was created among convalescing
French soldiers during 1917, it was chartered in late
1918, and the French government recognized the
organization as a society of public interest on June 20,
1920. Membership is open to former combatants in all
conflicts from all branches of the French armed forces
and their widows, and to former and currently serving
members of the military. Its aims are to preserve the
interests of France, peace and friendship between
peoples, and the remembrance of former servicemen.
Recent studies have documented the
political mobilization of the UNC and the Union Federale
(UF) – the two largest French veterans’ associations
during the interwar years. In the midst of the
civil unrest that moved across Europe in the 1920's and
1930's, the UNC sought to extend their influence into
the political arena through public demonstrations,
propaganda campaigns and the foundation of auxiliary
groups. By the end of the 1930s the UNC and the UF had
come together in a campaign for authoritarian political
reform, and eventually were closely allied with Marshal
Pétain’s Vichy regime.
These pieces of bronze art are
beautifully designed and gracefully executed. The
plaques feature the French Model 15 Adrian helmet as the
centerpiece which is laid over combined sprays of
foliage bound with a riband bearing the initials “UNC”.
The detail of the casting is quite well done and they
must have been intended to decorate a gate or building
entry way. These two pieces do not appear to have been
used as they show no wear or damage. Both retain a soft
naturally aged patina that is so desirable in older
bronze pieces.
These are substantial bronze castings,
each weighing close to 2.5 pounds and measuring 20”
long, 7” high, with a relief of ¾” at the center of the
helmet.
This is a unique offering and one that
would be a nice addition to a World War One French
militaria collection. These two pieces can be purchased
as a set, or individually - $450 each or $775 for the
pair.
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