Austria, Imperial. An Order of Franz Joseph, Knight’s Cross with Case by V. Mayer’s Söhne, to the von Kussevich Family

(Franz-Joseph-Orden Ritterkreuz mit Etui). Instituted 2 December 1849 by Emperor Franz Joseph. 1(849-1918 issue). Constructed of 18K Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Ruppert Cross with red enameled arms, overlaid by a central white enameled medallion bearing a raised monogram of Emperor Franz Joseph, the reverse overlaid by an analogous white enameled medallion bearing a raised institution date of “1849”, superimposed over a double-sided Austrian imperial eagle executed in black enamels with gilt highlights, the obverse of the eagle’s dual heads clutching a multi-link chain in their beaks which is overlaid at the bottom by an inscription of “VIRIBUS UNITIS” (“WITH UNITED FORCES”), the twelve o’clock arm topped by a crown suspension connecting to a suspension ring which retains a period original tri-fold ribbon, the loop maker marked “V. MAYER’S SÖHNE IN WIEN” for the noted firm of Vincenz Mayer, along with hallmarks indicating production in the city of Vienna after 1872, measuring 30.98 mm (w) x 56.83 mm (h), weighing 16.3 grams (inclusive of ribbon), accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of a pressed card stock frame with a faux dark green leather exterior liner, the lid bearing gilt initials “F.J.O.” (“FRANZ-JOSEPH-ORDEN), the interior with a padded white satin lid liner bearing a gilt coat of arms, with a fitted white velvet medal bed, closing with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release, the base notably retaining a partially-intact period label bearing a handwritten dedication to a “... TOZAR VON KUSSEVICH” (presumably Svetozar), with an additional period manufacturer’s stamp of “ETUIS & CASSETTEN FABRIK, J.G. BERGMANN, WIEN VII”, and a later-period Serbian Cyrillic museum inventory stamp, measuring 60 mm (w) x 110 mm (l) x 20 mm (h), a striking and attributable example in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Records indicate that a von Kussevich family (originally Kušević, prior to Germanization and ennobling), with branches of Croatian and Serbian extraction, rendered meritorious political and military service to both the Austrian and Austro-Hungarian Empires, including a Hauptmann Marcell von Kussevich, who was wounded while fighting revolutionaries in Milan on 22 March 1848, later dying of those injuries in Lienz on 13 April, and a Freiherr Kussevich von Szamobor, who gave his name to an infantry regiment (Nr. 33) based in Arad.