Austria, Imperial. An Honour Decoration Of The Red Cross, Officer’s Cross, Military Division, C. 1915

Instituted August 14 1914. Military Division. In silver, a red enamelled cross with white enamelled borders, the obverse medallion features a red cross on a white field, surrounded by a ring inscribed PATRIAE AC HUMANITATI, overlaid on the arms is a green enamelled oak and laurel wreath, the reverse 9 and 3 o’clock arms have been engraved 1864 and 1914 respectively, two flattened hooks protrude towards the middle from the 12 and 9 o’clocks arms, one tip of hook marked with a silver hallmark denoting former Austro-Hungarian Empire, 900 silver fineness and Vienna manufacture, an indecipherable makers mark also present, measures 47.8mm (w) x 56.36mm (h), weighs 33.2 grams, enamels intact, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: This decoration was instituted by Franz Joseph I to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Convention. It was awarded to recognize individuals who had provided extraordinary contributions within voluntary nursing, and emergency or Red Cross services during peace and wartime. The War Decoration was added to the cross to recognize meritorious service in wartime.