Anhalt, Duchy. An Order of Albert the Bear, Grand Cross Decoration, c. 1916

(Hausorden Albrecht des Bären Großkreuz). Instituted 18 November 1836 by Duke Heinrich of Anhalt-Köthen, Duke Leopold IV of Anhalt-Dessau, and Duke Alexander of Anhalt-Bernburg. (1836-1918 issue). Constructed of gilded bronze, consisting of a double-sided depiction of a crowned bear atop a castle wall with a gate, the obverse circumscribed by an inscription of “FUERCHT GOTT UND BEFOLGE SEINE BEFEHLE” (“FEAR GOD AND OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS”), topped by the coat of arms of the House of Ascania, the reverse bearing an inscription of “ALBRECHT DER BEAR REG: 1132 BIS 1170” (“ALBERT THE BEAR KING FROM 1132 UNTIL 1170”), topped by the coat of arms of the County of Aschersleben, the twelve o’clock position culminating in an eyelet and suspension ring, accompanied by a period grade-mismatched neck ribbon, unmarked, measuring 39.96 mm (w) x 52.16 mm (h), weighing 25.6 grams, demonstrating some bruising to the edges with sporadic loss of gilt finish also exposing the bronze base metal, a wartime example produced c. 1916, in near extremely fine condition.