Baden, Grand Duchy. An Exceptionally Rare House Order Of Fidelity, Grand Cross Set, C.1790

(Hausorden der Treue, Großkreuz mit Bruststern, 1. Modell). Instituted 17 July 1715 by Margrave Karl III Wilhelm. (1715-1803 issue). An exceptionally rare and well-preserved first variation Grand Cross set of the House Order of Fidelity, consisting of:

1. A cross, constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with red enameled arms, completing in ball finials and joined together through the quadrants by monograms of Margrave Karl (stylized as “C”), the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a hand-painted monogram of Margrave Karl, circumscribed by an inscription of “FIDELITAS” (“FIDELITY”) and and finely-detailed mountains, the reverse with a central medallion featuring Baden national colours executed in Gold with red enamel, the twelve o’clock arm with an integral loop connecting to a ribbed suspension ring with a crown device executed in Gold with multi-coloured enamels, featuring a reverse loop for attachment to an accompanying full-length sash ribbon, constructed of light yellow silk and trimmed along both edges with machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresses, the cross unmarked and measuring 53.44 mm (w) x 53.29 mm (h), the crown measuring 36.07 mm (w) x 22.57 mm (h), weighing 39.3 grams overall, with minor flecking visible to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.

2. A breast star, constructed of silver aluminum wire carefully embroidered around a pressed card stock core, the obverse consisting of an eight-pointed radiant starburst with ribbed rays, bearing a central Maltese Cross constructed of pale gold sequins with red foil arms, completing in ball finials and joined together through the quadrants by monograms of Margrave Karl, with a central beige embroidered medallion bearing a monogram of Margrave Karl, circumscribed by an inscription of “FIDELITAS” (“FIDELITY”) and stylized mountains, the reverse retaining the majority of an off-white parchment liner, unmarked, measuring 100 mm (w) x 100 mm (h), weighing 20.6 grams, demonstrating only minor signs of age-appropriate material fatigue, in extremely fine condition.