Bavaria, Kingdom. A Rare Military Order of St. George, Grand Cross Breast Star by Julius Elchinger, c. 1900

(Orden vom heiligen Georg Bruststern zum Großkreuz). Instituted 20 March 1729. (1729-1918 issue). Constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a vaulted Maltese Cross with arms completing in ball finials, the obverse of the arms with partial blue enameling situated within dual rows of pebbled borders, with each arm joined through the quadrants by a silvered and blue enameled rhombus trimmed with a single row of pebbled borders, bearing a central silvered and pebbled medallion overlaid by a red enameled Cross of St. George, situated within a circular pebbled ring, the reverse with eight visible rivets securing the obverse features in position, with an elongated barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a rounded catch, maker marked with the logo of Julius Elchinger, Munich, measuring 65.04 mm (w) x 65.05 mm (h), weighing 38.9 grams, both the blue and red enamels demonstrating minor flecking and surface chipping with evidence of careful period repairs, while some reverse rivets demonstrating evidence of replacement and tightening, a rare decoration demonstrating quality of construction commensurate with jeweller production in near extremely fine condition.