Germany, Federal Republic. A German Cross in Gold, Exhibition Example by Rudolf Souval, c. 1960

(Deutsches Kreuz in Gold, Museumsstück). Constructed of a silvered and gilded bronze alloy with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a double-overlaid eight-pointed radiant starburst, bearing a central silvered disc overlaid by a black enameled mobile swastika, situated within a circular gilded laurel leaf wreath, wrapped in ribbon and joined together at the bottom by a plaque bearing an institution date of “1941”, with red enameled rings trimming both the inner and outer edges of the wreath, the reverse with four rivets securing the obverse features in position,with a raised barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of an exhibition example produced by the firm of Rudolf Souval, Vienna, c. 1960, measuring 64.22 mm (w) x 64.12 mm (h), weighing 76.4 grams, demonstrating flecking and surface scratching to the enamels with additional moderate loss of finish to the base metal, a high-quality piece intended for collector display and recipient replacement in near extremely fine condition.