Austria, Imperial. An Order of the Knights of Malta, II Class Merit Cross

(Souveräner Malteseorden II. Klasse Verdienstkreuz mit Kriegsdekoration). Constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of an Anchor Cross with white enameled arms, the obverse with a central red enameled medallion bearing a white enameled Maltese cross, surrounded by a ring of white enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “MIL. ORDO EQUITUM MELIT BENE MERENTI” (“MILITARY ORDER OF MERIT”), the reverse with an analogous red enameled medallion with a gilt date of “1916”, surrounded by a ring of white enamel bearing gilt oak leaves, the twelve o’clock arm with an integral loop and suspension ring connecting to a period original tri-fold ribbon with an enamelled war decoration, unmarked, measuring 40.4 mm (w) x 51.0 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.