Croatia, Independent State. An Order Of The Crown Of King Zvonimir, I Class With Swords, C.1941

(Red krune kralja Zvonimira). Instituted in 1941. In bronze gilt with white enamels, unmarked but known to have been manufactured by Braca Knaus of Zagreb, consisting of a stylized Croatian Trefoil cross, featuring an inlaid traditional national wattle pattern, (known as the pleter or troplet), obverse centre illustrating the Crown of Zvonimir with crossed swords, reverse inscribed with the dates "1076" (Date of King Zvonimir's Coronation) and "1941" (Date of the establishment of the NDH), flanking the motto "BOG I HRVATI" (God and the Croats), with elongated neck loop also featuring the wattle pattern, measuring 51 mm (w) x 52 mm (h), intact enamels, on its original folded ribbon, light contact and surface wear, near extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, the lid marked "Red krune kralja Zvonimira 1. stupnja s mačevima" in gold-coloured ink, inside lid lined in white satin, padded and exhibiting the impression of the badge, raised platform with a recessed medal bed in black felt, measuring 108 mm (w) x 140 mm (h) x 28.3 mm (d), extensive wear and soiling evident on the exterior, case fair.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir was order awarded by the Independent State of Croatia (NDH). It is established as a "visible sign of decoration for merits done, in peace or in war, for Croatian people and Independent State of Croatia". It was established by Croatian leader Ante Pavelić on May 15, 1941. The bearers of the grand order and first class order were given the title of knight (vitez). The obverse is inscribed "Bog i Hrvati" (God and Croats), while the reverse is inscribed with the year of King Zvonimir's crowning, "1076" and the year of the establishment of the NDH, "1941".