Oldenburg, Grand Duchy. A House Order Of Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Civil Division, Grand Cross, C.1870

(Grossherzogtum Oldenburg, Hausorden Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Goldenes Großkreuz mit Schwertern und Lorbeer). Instituted on 27 November 1838 by Paul Friedrich August, Grand Duke of Oldenburg. High quality manufacture sample in heavily gilded silver, an early enameled white gilt-framed cross Pattée, surmounted by a Royal Crown with square eyelet attachment, obverse centre exhibiting a superposed gilded crowned monogram PFL (Peter Friedrich Ludwig) over beautiful field in deep blue enamels, bordered by an enameled red ring bearing the inscription EIN GOTT EIN RECHT EINE WAHRHEIT (ONE GOD ONE RIGHT ONE TRUTH), reverse centre presents an enameled white centre shield featuring a hand painted coat of arms of Oldenburg, the 12 o’clock arm bears jewelry date 17 Jan 1755, the 3 o’clock arm bears jewelry date 21 Mai 1829, the 6 o’clock arm bears jewelry date 21 Nov 1838, the 9 o’clock arm bears jewelry date 6 Jul 1785, measuring 55.63 mm (w) x 87.33 mm (h - inclusive of Imperial Crown with adorned cross), presenting old Gold test on the 12 o’clock arm, with slight cracked white enamels, suspended by ring suspension on period original full-length sash with bow, extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Only one set awarded on 15 November 1918 to General Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg. The court jeweler Richard Knauer upgraded a Grand Cross set for this occasion. However, it can be assumed that other sets were held in inventory at the jeweler or the order chancellery.