Bulgaria, Kingdom. An Order of Civil Merit, II. Class Grand Office, Austrian-Made, c.1930

(Орден за гражданска заслуга). Instituted August 2nd, 1891. (Type II - 1908-1944). c. 1930. A cased Order of Civil Merit II. Class Grand Officer set, consisting of:

1. A Breast Star. A fabulous example of this award, of extremely fine Austrian jeweler manufacture, constructed of silver and gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a four-pointed multi-rayed silver cross bearing a white enameled Urdy cross adorned with green enameled thistles in the quadrants between the arms, the obverse with a central red enameled medallion bearing the Royal Cypher of its founder, surrounded by the inscription “ЗА ГРАЖДАНСКА ЗАСЛУГА”, the reverse plain, with a horizontal pinback, marked “Johann Schwerdtner, Wien”, measuring 99.1 mm (w) x 98.7 mm (l), weighing 81.22 grams, in better than extremely fine condition.

2. The Neck Badge. Of equally astounding quality, consisting constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a white enameled Urdy cross adorned with green enameled thistles in the quadrants between the arms, the obverse with a central red enameled medallion bearing the Royal Cypher of its founder, surrounded by the inscription “ЗА ГРАЖДАНСКА ЗАСЛУГА”, the reverse with a central red enameled medallion bearing a gilt rampant lion, surrounded by a white ring of enamels inscribed with the institution date of August 2nd, 1891, suspended from an intricate swivel crown with beautiful enameled embellishments on the crown, suspended from dual rings using its period original and full length neck ribbon, unmarked but undoubtedly a matching set of equal manufacture, measuring 62.4 mm (w) x 95.0 mm (l), in better than extremely fine condition. 

Accompanied by its presentation case, constructed of a lightweight wooden core with a lightly textured red faux leather (leatherette) exterior, the exterior of the lid embossed with “Order of Civil Merit II. Class” in gilded Russian script, with functional exterior dual metal hinges, torn interior fabric hinge cover, and functional dual metal clasps for closing of the case, the interior of the lid is lined with off-white padded satin, with a recessed black felt medal bed to accommodate the II. Class Grand Officer breast star and the II. Class Grand Officer neck badge (missing) as well as its accompanying full length period original neck ribbon, measuring 235 mm (w) x 120 mm (l), in near extremely fine condition.