United Kingdom. An Order of St. Michael and St. George, Knight’s Commander Set, c.1880

Instituted in 1818. A beautiful Knight’s Commander set, comprising a neck badge in silver gilt with seven white enamelled arms, both centrepieces in Gold featuring blue enamels, each with enameled images of the saints, illustrating St. Michael the Archangel slaying Satan on the obverse and St. George the patron saint of England slaying a dragon on the reverse, both obverse and reverse centerpieces finished with hand etched detailing, measuring 61.4 mm (w) x 89.5 mm (h), worn on original full length neck ribbon, reverse medallion slightly loose, enamels intact, in extremely fine condition. 

Paired with a Star of the Order, a lovely silver star with eight points, alternating between a maltese arm and faceted rays with Gold center piece in the form of a large medallion with a hand-painted depiction of St. Michael the Archangel slaying Satan, surrounded by the inscription AUSPICIUM MELIORIS AEVI (HOPE FOR A BETTER AGE), with four short red enamel arms at each cardinal point, the reverse bears a single vertical pin, measures 75.8 mm (w) x 74.6mm (h), weighs 82.0 grams, marked on the pin with a clover enamels intact, lovely patina, a lovely and early star, in extremely fine condition.