This item is part of Prestige & Distinction, Auction I: German Imperial Orders, Decorations & Awards . Click Here to view all items in this collection.
(Orden der vier Kaiser, Kommandeurkreuz in Gold). Instituted 6 December 1768 by Count Philipp Ferdinand. (c. 1850 issue). A rare Commander Cross of the Order of the Four Emperors, constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms, each completing in two ball finials and joined together through the quadrants by stylized Gold flames, the obverse bearing a central dark blue enameled oval medallion, overlaid by a gilt depiction of an angel leading a figure, within a ribbed and red enameled border, the arms bearing red monograms of “P”, “D”, “E”, and “P” clockwise from the twelve o’clock position, the reverse featuring an analogous central dark blue enameled oval medallion, overlaid by a gilt inscription of “ILLUSTRI ET NOBILI” (“TO THE DISTINGUISHED AND THE NOBLE”), within a ribbed and red enameled border, the arms bearing red monograms of “H”, “C”, “W”, and “S” clockwise from the 12 o’clock position, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a fleur-de-lis with a swivel suspension connecting to a hollow crown, in turn retaining a ring for the accommodation of a ribbon, unmarked but with manufacturing characteristics demonstrating construction c. 1850, measuring 47.52 mm (w) x 69.15 mm (h), weighing 34.7 grams, chips are visible to the three, six, and nine o’clock arms of the obverse and the six o’clock arm of the reverse, all of which demonstrate rudimentary repairs, a rare and unusual decoration in very fine condition.
Footnote: This particular example was featured as an exemplar of the award on page 31 of Karsten Klingbeil’s “Orden: 1700-2000”, Volume 2 (GO Druck media, Kircheim unter Teck, 2008). The enamel repairs now evident were executed subsequent to the photography displayed.