Prussia, Kingdom. An Order of St. John, Knight of Honour Cross in Gold with Case, by Humbert & Söhne

(Ritterorden St. Johannis vom Spital zu Jerusalem Kreuz der Ehrenritter). Instituted 15 October 1852 by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. (1852-1918 issue). Constructed of 18k Gold with enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms, joined through the quadrants by blackened Prussian imperial eagles topped by crowns, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a curved and pebbled fan suspension perforated with an eyelet through which is fitted an original ring, the former retaining a full-length of replacement black rayon neck ribbon, the fan stamped with a maker’s mark of “H. & S.” indicating manufacture by the noted jeweller Humbert & Söhne, Berlin, measuring 54.63 mm (w) x 54.85 mm (h), weighing 19.2 grams, accompanied by its original presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux red leather exterior liner, the interior with a padded white rayon lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a depressed black velvet medal bed inset with a central channel to accommodate the suspension ring, closing with a metal spring catch with exterior stud release, unmarked, measuring 70 mm (w) x 90 mm (l) x 30 mm (h), the obverse of the cross demonstrates fine cracking of the enamels in addition to a small chip to the centrepiece, the reverse similarly shows fine cracking with a chip to the lower edge of the three o’clock (nine o’clock when viewed from the obverse) arm, the case demonstrates some material fatigue to the exterior liner, and the spring catch no longer functions, a rare and fine-quality example in overall better than very fine condition.