Saxe-Ernestine, Duchies. A Saxe-Ernestine House Order, II Class Knight's Cross

(Herzoglich Sachsen-Ernestinischer Hausorden Ritterkreuz II. Klasse). Instituted 25 March 1833 by Duke Friedrich of Saxe-Altenburg, Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and Duke Bernhard II of Saxe-Meiningen. (1890-1918 issue). Constructed of silver with gilt and multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms completing in ball finials and joined through the quadrants by lions passant, the obverse overlaid by a central gilt medallion bearing a leftward-facing profile of Duke Ernst I, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “FIDELITER ET CONTANTER” (“FAITHFUL AND STEADFAST”), in turn surrounded by a green enameled laurel wreath, the reverse bearing a central gilt and enameled Saxe-Ernestine coat of arms, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt institution date of “D. 25 DECEMBER 1833”, in turn surrounded by a green enameled laurel wreath, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a crown suspension culminating in a ring retaining a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 41.19 mm (w) x 62.54 mm (h), weighing 17.9 grams, demonstrating some flecking to the enamels with evidence of period repairs to the outer corners of the arms, in near extremely fine condition.