Hannover, Kingdom. A Royal Guelphic Order, Knight Grand Cross Collar, By Gerhard Carl Zell

(Guelphen-Orden, Ordenskollane der Großkreuze). Instituted 28 April 1815 by Prince Regent George (later George IV of the United Kingdom). (1837-1839 issue). This is a rare and extremely well-preserved Knight Grand Cross Collar of the Royal Guelphic Order, constructed of fire-gilded bronze, consisting of twelve links presenting as lions passant, each measuring 43.57 mm (w) x 28.51 mm (h), six royal monograms in the form of stylized initials “GR” (“Georgius Rex”), each measuring 63.70 mm (w) x 26.64 mm (h), and six royal crowns, each measuring 33.56 mm (w) x 27.20 mm, one crown bears a functional gilded bronze clip opening with a screw apparatus for the order’s badge, all connected by dual rows of oval links, the collar measures approximately 545 mm in length, of German manufacture, it is unmarked but bears the physical characteristics of Court Jeweler Gerhard Carl Zell, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: During the union of the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Hanover, the Grand Cross Collar of the Guelphic Order was manufactured by British jewellers, who only provided detail to the obverse of the links, while the reverse was plain and featured applicable metal and maker marks. German manufacture of the collars began after the cessation of the union in 1837, and the collar was discontinued in 1839, with this limited window of manufacture making this a particularly unique and rare piece.