Oldenburg, Grand Duchy. A Rare House and Merit Order of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Grand Cross with Swords, Oak Leaves, and Breast Star, Published Example by Knauer

(Oldenburger Haus- und Verdienstorden, Großkreuz mit Schwertern, Lorbeer, und Bruststern). Instituted 27 November 1838 by Grand Duke Paul Friedrich Ludwig. (1841-1918 issue; c. 1918 manufacture). A rare and exceptional Grand Cross set of the House and Merit Order of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, consisting of:

1. A Grand Cross with Swords and Oak Leaves, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a silver frame and white enameled arms, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse overlaid across the three and nine o’clock arm with laurel branches constructed of silver gilt and with leaves executed in green enamel, each securely riveted through the six and twelve o’clock arms, bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by a raised silver monogram of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, within a ring of dark red enamel bearing a silvered inscription of “EIN GOTT, EIN RECHT, EINE WAHRHEIT” (“ONE GOD, ONE RIGHTEOUSNESS, ONE TRUTH”), in turn set within dual silver rings, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted Oldenburg coat of arms, the arms overlaid by hand-painted dates of “21. MAI 1829”, “27 NOV. 1838”, “6 JUL. 1785”, and “17. JAN. 1755” clockwise from the three o’clock arm, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop connecting to a hollow crown suspension culminating in a final loop for ribbon suspension, the latter included and consisting of a full-length sash constructed of dark blue rayon trimmed along both edges with red tresses, the cross unmarked and measuring 56.70 mm (w) x 60.58 mm (h), the crown measuring 36.54 mm (w) x 32.31 mm (h), weighing 53.8 grams overall, in extremely fine condition.

2. A Breast Star, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of an eight-pointed radiant star with pebbled rays, the obverse bearing a central dark blue enameled medallion, overlaid by a raised silver monogram of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, within a ring of dark red enamel bearing a silvered inscription of “EIN GOTT, EIN RECHT, EINE WAHRHERIT” (“ONE GOD, ONE RIGHTEOUSNESS, ONE TRUTH”), in turn set within dual ribbed rings, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, finish with a semi-circular laurel leaf wreath superimposed over the swords, itself constructed of a gilt frame with leaves executed in green enamel, the reverse with nine visible rives securely holding the obverse appliques in place, with a block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a rounded catch, the reverse of the pinback maker marked “B. KNAUER” for the firm of Bernhard Knauer, Oldenburg, measuring 82.75 mm (w) x 83.34 mm (h), weighing 69.5 grams, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The piece offered was retrieved from the noted orders and medals collection of George Seymour, and was featured as an example of an early version of the decoration on pages 130-131 of Karsten Klingbeil’s “Orden: 1700-2000”, Volume 1 (GO Druck media, Kircheim unter Teck, 2008). Notably, Klingbeil specifies that General Erich Ludendorff was the sole known recipient of this grade of the House Order of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, which was bestowed in 1918, although it is unknown whether unissued pieces were also produced.