Saxon Duchies. A Superb Saxe-Ernestine And Bulgarian Medal Bar, By Louis Werner

(Ordensschnalle). A rare and superb medal bar featuring two decorations, including:

1. A Saxe-Ernestine House Order, I Class Knight’s Cross, constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with a Gold frame with white enameled arms completing in ball finials, al joined together through the quadrant by Gold lions rampant, the obverse with a central Gold medallion bearing a raised and leftward-facing profile of Duke Ernst I, within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER” (“FAITHFUL AND STEADFAST”), in turn surrounded by a circular green enameled laurel leaf wreath, the reverse bearing a central Gold and enameled Saxe-Ernestine coat of arms, within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt institution date of “D. 25. DECEMBER 1833”, in turn surrounded by a circular green enameled laurel leaf wreath, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a crown suspension with a loop connecting to a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 44.82 mm (w) x 69.29 mm (h) (inclusive of suspension), weighing 18.6 grams, in extremely fine condition.

2. A Bulgarian Order of St. Alexander, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms, the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a stylized gilt Bulgarian Cyrillic inscription of Saint Alexander, within a ring of white enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “СЪ НАМИ БОГЪ” (“GOD WITH US”) and laurel branches, the reverse white a central white enameled medallion bearing a gilt date of “19 ФЕВРАЛЪ 1878” (“10 FEBRUARY 1878”, in recognition of the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano), the twelve o’clock arm topped by a stylized suspension with a crown on a swivel hinge, in turn topped by a loop connecting to a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 39.18 mm (w) x 70.66 mm (h) (inclusive of suspension), weighing 26.4 grams, with some flecking visible to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.

Both suspended from a 100 mm-long non-magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and red wool reverse liner, with the pinback retaining a fully-intact maker’s label reading “LOUIS WERNER, HOF-JUWELIER, BERLIN W8”.