Spain, State. A Military Order of San Hermenegildo, Grand Cross Set, c. 1945

(Militar Orden de San Hermenegildo). Instituted November 28th, 1814. A Spanish Military Order of San Hermenegildo, Grand Cross Set, consisting of:

1. A Grand Cross Breast Star. Constructed of silver, gilded silver, and multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a gilded Maltese Cross with ball finials, along with three multi-faceted rays in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, obverse centre in silver gilt with a partially red enameled Imperial Crown (dating this piece between 1942 and 1953), depicting a superposed silver-gilded figure of St. Hermenegildo on horseback on a light-blue-enamelled central medallion, surrounded white-enamelled border with the inscription “Premio a la Constancia Militar” (Award for Military Constancy), with surrounded green-enamelled laurel wreath in silver gilt, reverse with a functional vertical pinback assembly and dual downward-sloping stabilizer pins for secure attachment to a uniform, unmarked, measuring 60.8 mm (w) x 58.8 mm (l), weighing 37.54 grams, with the enamels fully preserved with only minor contact marks, in overall near extremely fine condition. 

2. The Grand Cross Sash Badge. Constructed of gilded silver, and multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a white enameled Cross Pattėe with a central blue enameled medallion bearing St. Hermenegildo on horseback, surrounded by a blue ring of enamels inscribed “Premio a la Constancia Militar” (Award for Military Constancy), the reverse with a central silver gilt medallion inscribed “F. VII.”, also surrounded by a blue ring of enamels, suspended from a hollow swivel crown and swivel ring from its period-original and full-size sash ribbon, measuring 37.2 mm (w) x 59.0 mm (l). 

A fine Grand Cross set of the Military Order of San Hermenegildo, the breast star beautifully preserved, with the majority of the gilt finish worn off the sash badge, in overall better than very fine condition