René Lalique WW1 Brass 'Orphelinat des Armées' Medal, Badge and Flag Pins During the First World War, the French Government asked René Lalique to use his brilliant and original jewellery design skills to produce various medals, pendants, brooches and pins which were sold to help raise funds for French soldiers, their wives and children. His first sortie in the fundraising campaign was for the ‘Journée de l'Orphelinat des Armées’ July 4 and July 11 1915. His design was simple but at the same time innovative and striking - it featured a crouching female figure whose arms encircle two small unclothed children. Underneath is the inscription "Orphelinat Des Armees" along with his name - R Lalique. The medal is in the shape of a broad Maltese Cross and has the original French tri-colour ribbon. 

These WW1 "charity day" fundraising souvenirs (cardboard insignia, thin stamped medals, pin badges, more rarely bronze or silver medals) were sold during the Great War to raise money for a variety of causes : mainly supporting the troops fighting on the various fronts, supporting the war effort, supporting wounded soldiers (or having caught tuberculosis), soldier's widows, orphans, thanking allied countries, etc...