Austria, Empire. Order of Franz Joseph Knight with War Decoration and Swords.

(Franz-Joseph-Orden) Order of Franz Joseph, Knight with War Decoration and Swords, in gilt and enamels, the obverse centre medallion bearing the cipher “FJ” for Emperor Franz Joseph I, the reverse dated “1849”, with red enamelled cross arms, surmounted by the Imperial Crown and backed by the Austrian double-headed eagle, suspended from its original triangular wartime ribbon in white with red edge stripes and narrow red vertical stripes, with gilt crossed swords affixed to the ribbon denoting a wartime award, housed in its original fitted presentation case by Moritz Tiller & Co., Wien VII/2, Stiftskaserne, measuring 31.3 mm x 63.4 mm inclusive of suspension, the case measuring 65.9 mm x 114.3 mm, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of Franz Joseph was established by Emperor Franz Joseph I on 2 December 1849 to commemorate the first anniversary of his accession to the throne. It recognized distinguished civil and military merit throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During the First World War, recipients whose awards were earned under combat or combat-related conditions received the green enamelled laurel wreath known as the War Decoration (Kriegsdekoration), while crossed swords on the ribbon signified personal bravery or distinguished service performed in the face of the enemy. Knight’s Crosses bearing both the War Decoration and Swords represent wartime awards of considerable historical significance from the final years of the Habsburg Monarchy. Moritz Tiller & Co. of Vienna was among the Empire’s foremost manufacturers of orders, decorations, and military insignia.