Serbia, Kingdom. An Order Of The White Eagle, Iii Class Commander With Swords, C.1941

(Orden Belog Orla). Instituted in 1883. Type II (1903-1941). In silver gilt with red, white and blue enamels, measuring 49.2 mm (w) x 89.7 mm (h) inclusive of its crossed swords, crown and laterally-pierced ball suspension, chipping and repair evident in the white enamels on the flared tips of the eagle's tail on the reverse, on a full-length original neck ribbon, better than very fine.

Footnote: The Order of the White Eagle was a Royal Order in the Kingdom of Serbia (1883-1918) and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918-1945). King Milan I of Serbia instituted the Order of the White Eagle on January 23, 1883, concurrently with the Order of St. Sava. The Order had five classes and was conferred on Serbian and Yugoslav citizens for achievements in peace or war, or for special merits to the Crown, the state and nation. In the period between 1883 and 1898, the Order of the White Eagle was the highest award in the Kingdom of Serbia. In 1898, the Royal Order of Miloš the Great took precedence over the White Eagle and in 1904 the former was replaced by the Order of the Karađorđe's Star.