Serbia, Kingdom. An Order Of The Star Of Karageorge, V Class Knight, French Made, C.1918

(Orden Karađorđeve zvezde). Instituted in 1904. In silver gilt with red, white and blue enamels, unmarked but known to have been manufactured by Arthus Bertrand of Paris, measuring 36.8 mm (w) x 59.3 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and laterally-pierced ball suspension, crazing and chipping evident in the white enamels on the arms at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock, original triangular ribbon with hook and eye, near fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Star of Karageorge was established in 1904 by King Peter I, for outstanding civil or military merit, initially awarded exclusively to Serbian citizens in return for services rendered to the Serbian monarchy, the Serb people and the Serbian state, though it is now bestowed upon Serbs and non-Serbs alike. During the Balkan Wars and the First World War, the Order was mostly awarded for acts of bravery on the battlefield. The post-war Kingdom of Yugoslavia retained the Order, and it was awarded by the Yugoslav government-in-exile until the end of the Second World War, in some cases to individuals who collaborated with the Axis powers. Following the war, the monarchy was outlawed and a communist government came to power. Along with other monarchist symbols, the Order was suppressed during the administration of Josip Broz Tito, and replaced with communist decorations such as the Order of the People's Hero.