Prussia, Kingdom. A Rare Pour le Mérite for Science and Art in Gold, c. 1865

(Orden Pour le Mérite für Wissenschaft und Kunst). Instituted 31 May 1842 by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. (1842-present issue). A fine Pour le Mérite for Science and Art, constructed of 18K Gold with enamels, the obverse consisting of a central medallion bearing a raised Prussian imperial eagle wielding an orb and sceptre, circumscribed by mirrored monograms of King Friedrich II, in turn surrounded by a ring finished in blue enamels, bearing a gilt inscription of “POUR LE MÉRITE”, with crowns emanating from the three, six, nine, and twelve o’clock positions, the latter topped by an eyelet retaining a suspension ring with a shortened length of replacement neck ribbon, unmarked, but demonstrating textbook, early manufacturing characteristics of the official maker of this insignia "Johann Friedrich Hossauer", period  manufacture c. 1865, measuring 54.73 mm (w) x 58.12 mm (h), weighing 16.1 grams, demonstrating minor surface scratching to the enamel, demonstrating a careful period repair to the twelve o’clock crown, which remains slightly loosened, a striking and high-quality example of the civil variant of one of Prussia’s most prestigious orders of merit, in near extremely fine condition.