Serbia, Kingdom. An Order Of St. Sava, Iii Class Commander, C. 1930

Instituted 23 January 1883 by Milan I. Type III (1922 – 1941). A lovely order of St. Sava, a Maltese with ball finials in silver gilt and blue and white enamel arms, in each quadrant sits a crowned double headed eagle overlaid by the Serbian coat of arms, the obverse oval medallion presents a hand-painted depiction of St. Sava in a green enamel robe on a white enamel background, surrounded by a blue enamel ring inscribed троvломb сконмb вbса прнобрвте (By His Talents He Acquired All), the reverse medallion presents a raised 1883 in silver gilt on a white enamel background surrounded by a blue enamel ring with a silver gilt ornamental wreath, the badge is surmounted by a crown connected by a stylized fan between the knees of the 12 o’clock arm, measures 51.25mm (w) x 86.25mm (h – including cross adorned crown suspension), weighs 44.5 gram, unmarked, enamels intact and well-executed, scattered gilt wear, overall in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of Saint Sava was introduced by King Milan I on January 23, 1883 (Russian method of dating), one year after Serbia was recognized as an independent kingdom. It was founded as the third Serbian royal order, after the Order of Takovo and the Order of the White Eagle. It was dedicated to Saint Sava, the first Serbian archbishop, who born around 1170. He is viewed to this day as the protector of the Serbian people. In Type III, there were introduced some major changes in the appearance of the Order. The Saint was depicted now with a green robe, instead of the previous red robe, and was featured with an open book.