Finland, Republic. An Order Of The Cross Of Liberty, Military Division, Ii Class

(Vapaudenristin ritarikunta). Instituted 1918. Military Division. World War II period. In silver gilt, an extraordinary white enameled four-armed cross, delineating a gilt swastika through the arms, obverse centre showing an enameled white Finnish rose on a black background, with reverse dating 1941, time of war between Finland and Soviet Union during WWII, suspended by a gilt laurel wreath displaying two arms with swords fighting, hallmarked by Finnish hallmark denoting .813 silver fineness (H from Hopea, silver in Finnish), together with Finish crown hallmark symbolising importing products between 1925-1998, marked also with indescifrable maker’s mark, measuring 40.73 mm (w) x 65.79 mm (h - inclusive suspension), light contact and minor toned silver, on an time-war ribbon with bow, very fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Cross of Liberty was founded on March 4, 1918, upon the initiative of General C. G. E. Mannerheim. The Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela was commissioned to design the Order's insignia with the swastika.