Prussia, Kingdom. A Pour le Mérite, Grand Cross Breast Star, Exhibition Example by Steinhauer & Lück c. 1960

(Orden Pour le Mérite - Stern zum Großkreuz). Constructed of a gilded silver alloy with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a four-pointed radiant starburst, overlaid by a central gilded medallion bearing a raised and leftward-facing profile of King Friedrich II, surrounded by a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “POUR LE MÉRITE” and laurel branches executed in green enamels with gilt highlights, with pebbled and gilded borders throughout both the outer and inner edges, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch emanating from a circular base, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacture by Steinhauer & Lück, Lüdenscheid, as a museum exhibition example faithfully representing an exceptionally rare distinction of one of Prussia’s highest orders of merit, measuring 87.60 mm (w) x 87.71 mm (h), weighing 73.4 grams, demonstrating minor loss of gilt finish to the base metal and a small chip to the tip of the pinback (which remains functional and closes within the catch), in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Grand Cross of the Pour le Mérite was established in 1866 to recognize battlefield actions resulting in the wholesale retreat or destruction of an opposing army. It was awarded to only five recipients, including King Wilhelm I (later Kaiser Wilhelm I), Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm (Later Kaiser Friedrich III, Prince Friedrich Karl, Tsar Alexander II of Russia, and Feldmarschall Helmuth Graf von Moltke.