Waldeck, Principality. A Rare Order of Merit, I Class Cross with Swords, c. 1916

(Verdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted 3 July 1857 by Prince Georg Victor. (1915-1918 issue). Constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse overlaid by a central gilded and black enameled starburst, in turn bearing a white enameled medallion with a red enameled Anchor Cross, all situated within a blue enameled ring bearing an inscription of “DEM VERDIENSTE” (“TO MERIT”), the reverse overlaid by a central gilded and pebbled medallion bearing a monogram of Prince Georg Victor, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an eyelet retaining an oak leaf clasp and suspension ring, the latter accompanied by its original length of civil issue neck ribbon, unmarked, the cross measuring 63.08 mm (w) x 63.00 mm (h), the clasp measuring 17.60 mm (w) x 19.70 mm (h), weighing 52.0 grams, demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, a rare example produced c. 1916, in extremely fine condition.