Oldenburg, Grand Duchy. A House And Merit Order Of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Civil Division Grand Cross Set, By Bernhard Knauer, C.1900

(Haus und Verdienstorden von Herzog Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Großkreuz mit Bruststern). Instituted 27 November 1838 by Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August. (1841-1918 issue). A House and Merit Order of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Civil Division Grand Cross set, consisting of: 1. An order cross constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a silver Cross Pattée with white enameled arms set within a gilt frame, the obverse bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by a raised a gilded monogram of Grand Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig, set within a circular red enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “EIN GOTT, EIN RECHT, EINE WAHRHEIT” (“ONE GOD, ONE RIGHTEOUSNESS, ONE TRUTH”), in turn surrounded by dual ribbed and gilded rings, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted Oldenburg coat of arms, topped by a crown and superimposed over a royal cloak, the arms bearing hand-painted gilt dates of “21. MAI 1829”, “27 NOV. 1838”, “6. JULI 1785”, and “17. JAN. 1755” clockwise beginning with the three o’clock arm, the twelve o’clock arm retaining an integral loop, accompanied by a matching original hollow crown suspension apparatus topped by an integral ring, in turn retaining a period original full-size sash ribbon, unmarked but with the physical characteristics of manufacture by the firm of Oldenburg court jeweller Bernhard Knauer, the cross measuring 57.36 mm (w) x 60.34 mm (h), the crown measuring 35.21 mm (w) x 30.55 mm (h), weighing 40.2 grams overall, the obverse blue medallion demonstrating enamel chipping and possible heat damage, with minor similar damage visible to the surrounding red ring, the reverse twelve o’clock arm demonstrates a large enamel chip which has rendered the date illegible, the centre medallion demonstrates minor loosening, and the swivel suspension hinge former connecting the cross and crown has been lost with consequent detachment of the latter, in an overall fair condition.

2. A breast star constructed of gilded silver, the obverse consisting of an eight-pointed star with pebbled rays, the obverse bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by a raised and gilded monogram of Grand Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig, set within a circular red enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “EIN GOTT, EIN RECHT, EINE WAHRHEIT” (“ONE GOD, ONE RIGHTEOUSNESS, ONE TRUTH”), in turn surrounded by dual ribbed and gilded rings, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a rounded catch, the reverse of the pinback maker marked “B. KNAUER” for Oldenburg court jeweller Bernhard Knauer, measuring 81.50 mm (w) x 80.88 mm (h), weighing 56.8 grams, most of the gilt finish has been lost and the enameled ring demonstrates some chipping and hairline cracking, with a notable chip located approximately between the ten and eleven o’clock position, in near extremely fine condition.