Serbia, Kingdom. An Order Of The Cross Of Takovo, Iii Class Commander, By Anton Fürst, C.1880

(Orden Takovskog Krsta). Instituted in 1865. 1872-1922 issue. A ball-tipped enameled white Maltese cross, together with a gilded Saltire Cross both in silver gilt, encompassing with a green enameled palm wreath also in silver gilt, with obverse centre presenting a gilded crowned cypher of Milan Obrenović IV (O M IV) on nicely enameled red background, surrounded by enameled blue ribbon inscribed by cyrillic motto FOR FAITH PRINCE AND FATHERLAND, the reverse exhibiting a gilded Serbian principality coat of arms on an enameled red background, hallmarked twice by Imperial Austrian hallmark denoting silver fineness of .800 manufactured in Vienna, as well as marked twice by maker’s mark "A F" (Anton Fürst, Vienna), measuring 42.33 mm (w) x 72.15 mm (h - inclusive of its crown and ring suspension), with minor cracked white enamels and worn gilt, suspended by ornamented loop suspension on original full-length neck ribbon, very fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Cross of Takovo was instituted in the Principality of Serbia in 1865 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire, which had started in Takovo, Serbia. The Order was suppressed in 1903.