Catalog - Auction 68 - The Western Powers

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Order of the Golden Fleece
An early Jeweled Fleece Badge, 25x21 mm., GOLD, with finely chiseled details and the “riband”, set with diamonds all around; strong, round upper loop and suspension ring. An extremely rare piece, dating to the early 18th Century, when such decorations were worn also suspended to thin chains or silk ribbons, excellent condition and signs of wear, making the piece even more attractive. I RR!

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Military Order of Maria Theresa
A Miniature of the Order, 19 x 15 mm., GOLD, white enameled cross of typical form, obverse centre medallion with the enameled colurs red-white-red, within white enameled outer circlet, white enameled reverse centre medallion, bearing the Imperial monogram, within translucent, green enameled outer circlet; round upper loop. A beautiful, extremely rare cross dating from the Napoleonic Wars, with sure signs of use, of excellent quality and condition, considering its age. I RR! Provenance: Count Gustaf Carl Friedrik Löwenhielm (1771–1856), born in Stockholm, as son of the Royal Swedish Chancellor, sent in 1781 to study at the University of Strasbourg he became an officer and participated to many military campaigns during the Napoleonic wars; in 1808, he fell prisoner of the Russians, being released one year later. He then passed to the diplomatic service under King Charles XIV Johann, being also granted the title of Director General of the Swedish theatres. This cross became also part of the Fitz-James collection, throughout today.

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The Imperial Order of Leopold
A Prince size embroidered Breast Star of the 1st type, 70 mm., eight- pointed star with rays made of silver strip and wire ending with loops to fasten the decoration to the habit, the arms made of red lacquered silver foil, bordered with silver and golden bullion, flanked by four groups of three Gold oak leaves each, with finely chiseled details, centre medallion with red lacquered ground and applied, chiseled golden monogram “F I A” (Franciscus Imperator Augustus), white enameled outer circlet bearing the Order’s motto “INTEGRITATI ET MERITO” accurately painted in black enamel, the reverse, still preserving the original, protective, paper backing. An exceptionally rare star of uncommon size and excellent condition. I RR!

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The Imperial Order of Leopold
An early, embroidered 1st Type Grand Cross Star. Breast Star, 103 mm., Silver rays made of thin, narrow silver-strip, the centre, made as the Order’s cross, made of sheet-silver, partly lacquered of red, bordered with gold wire, red lacquered centre medallion, with golden monogram “FIA” (Franciscus Imperator Augustus), white enameled outer circlet, bearing the Order’s motto “INTEGRITATI ET MERITO” in black lettering, the arms, flanked by beautifully chiseled oak leaves, made of gold, the reverse with original backing and a long hook made of brass wire, to affix the star to the habit, allowing an easy removing of it. A very rare star made in the finest, Austrian quality, from the 1st decade of 19th Century, excellent condition. I RR!

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The Imperial Order of Leopold
An early Commander’s Cross of the Order, 95 x 47 mm. GOLD, as a white bordered, red enameled cross with inwardly-curved arms, finely chiseled to the outer edge, red enameled, obverse centre medallion, bearing the golden monogram “FIA” (Franciscus Imperator Augustus), within white enameled outer circlet bearing the black enameled motto “INTEGRITATI ET MERITO”, white enameled reverse centre medallion bearing the black enameled inscription “OP. / REG. / COR. / SUBD.” (“Opes Regum Corda Subditorum” = The Labours of Kings are the joy of the subjects), within golden oak wreath, round upper loop and Imperial Austrian crown suspension of one-sided type, concave to the reverse, its obverse finely chiseled amd separately added pendalia, chiseled loop above the orb as a stylized flower and long, grooved ribbon-ring, with original, neck ribbon. A beautiful, extremely rare badge of the finest manufacture from ca. 1830–1840, excellent condition and fine patina. Provenance: the estate of General Charles-Marie-Augustin Count de Goyon (1803–1870). A prominent personality of the military entourage of Louis Napoleon (later Emperor Napoleon III), he began his military career at the Saint-Cyr Academy in 1819 and later being appointed as a Lieutenant of the Chasseurs a Cheval, in 1838, appointed as military attaché in Spain, then in Rome at the Holy See. Returned in France, he served in the Hussards regiments. In 1850 he was appointed as Brigadier General and became commander of the Cavalry school at Saumur, in 1852, he received the honour of becoming adjutant of the now Emperor Napoleon III and the charge of judge to the political prisoners, in this post, he showed himself as human and respectful, ani- mated by true sense of justice. Sent to the Austrian Court in 1853 as observer to the army ma- noeuvres at Olmütz, he could also meet the Russian Tsar Nicholas I, shortly before the outbreak of the Crimean war. Returned to France, he was appointed as Division General. In 1856, sent to Rome as Commander of the French Troops of Occupation, he maintained respect and devotion to the Pope, also directing the renovation of the fortifications of the harbour city of Civitavecchia. In 1859, he was created Roman Patrice and inscribed in the “Libro d’Oro” of the Vatican Nobility. Appointed as Senator, after further military commands, he retired from the active service, becom- ing from 1869 the president of the Society for the protection of the military wounded (later, the French Red Cross). I RR!

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The Imperial Order of Leopold
Grand Cross Set of a Russian Dignitary. Sash Badge, 87 x 49 mm., GOLD, and red enamels with white borders, obverse centre medallion with “FIA” (Franciscus Imperator Austriae) monogram in gold on a red ground, white enameled outer circlet with motto “INTEGRITATI ET MERITO” (to the Integrity and to the Merit) in gold lettering, reverse medallion with golden inscription “OPES REGUM CORDA SUBDITORUM” (The Labours of Kings are the Joys of the Subjects) on white enameled ground, within a golden, oak wreath, circular upper loop (this, struck with the early, rectangular mark “F.R” of Rothe, Vienna and the gold, “Gemsenkopf” mark, suspension crown with highly polished details and red enameled inner cap with large, closed ribbon ring, this, also struck with the same marks present on the cross’s loop, suspended to its original, full length sash with ties. Highly convex Breast Star, 86,5 mm., Silver, with brilliant-cut, pierced rays, the centre in gold and enamels, as the obverse of the Order’s cross, smooth reverse, with screwback suspension of the Russian type, a centre screw with an intermediate, convex, highly polished silver disc, held by a smaller, also convex, circular nut with two applied small spheres, undoubtedly of Austrian manufacture and most possibly, Rothe, Vienna. A highly interesting, extremely rare set, dating approx. to 1870–80, in almost pristine condition (the star’s rays with fine, dark patina), the quality and workmanship of the star’s suspension, not being visible any sign of a removed, formerly present pin and its catch, and the homogeneous presence of an old, natural patina, allows us to think that the piece was specially made in Vienna, on behalf of an Imperial Russian dignitary. 12 I RR!

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The Imperial Austrian Order of the Iron Crown
1st Class (Grand Cross) Set from ca. 1830. Sash Badge, 70x36 mm, GOLD with most finely chiselled details, the double eagle’s breast and back, charged with the night-blue enameled shields with “F.” and “1815” in gold lettering, the crown of Lombardy, with enameled details, the upper, Austrian crown also finely chiseled and engraved, round link-ring and suspension ring with white enameled “pearls”, with its original, full sash ribbon with bow/rosette. Breast Star, 85 mm, of almost Unique type with rounded rays with “frosted fields and polished borders, gold centre medallion with applied, enameled crown of Lombardy, sea blue enameled outer circlet with the Order’s motto “AVITA ET AUCTA” with chiseled lettering, two little stars and the finely chiselled motive of intertwined palm and oak branches through a laurel wreath (the same motive of the central link of the Order’s collar); the reverse, fitted with vertical pin. A beautiful, extremely rare early set with an uniquely-made star, of an Italian Prince or Nobleman in the Kingdom of Sardinia, very similar to the early stars of the Order of St. Maurice and Lazarus. An extremely rare set, in superb condition. I RR!

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The Imperial Order of Franz Joseph
Grand Cross Star of the 2nd Model, 1st Class, instituted in 1849. Breast Star, 92 mm., Silver and GOLD, “G” for Grand Cross on reverse, hallmarked ”AA”, center enameled, superimposed parts GOLD, the reverse with a broad pin, maker’s mark ”Vinc. Mayer’s Sohne, Wien” A superb star, made by the then official purveyor of this order. Excellent condition! I

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The Imperial Order of Franz Joseph
Knight's Cross, 57x32 mm., GOLD with red enameled arms, flanked by the black enameled imperial eagle holding a chain in the beaks, with the motto “VIRIBUS UNITIS”; white enameled centre medallion, with the emperor’s cipher “FJ”; reverse medallion bearing the institution’s date “1849” on white enamel and hinged, polished gold border; hinged, Imperial crown with red enameled inner cap and enameled crown’s “jewels”; link ring struck with “Gebrüder Resch, Vienna” gold marks, typical, suspension ring and correct, crimson­red ribbon. A superb old cross, in best codition! I

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Marianer Cross, instituted in 1871
Knight`s Cross Miniature, 2nd Class. Breast Badge, 20x15 mm, Silver, enameled (damage in the center), original suspension ring. Very fine condition. II

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Order of Merit, Austrian First Republic 1923-1925
Breast Star, 71 mm, gilt Silver, original suspension pins on reverse. A very rare star, in extremely fine condition! I RR!

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The Sea Voyage Medal (Seereise Denkmünze), 1892–1893
Breast Badge, 66x40 mm, Bronze, original suspension ring and ribbon. A very rare medal, in mint condition! I RR!

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War Cross for Civil Merit, 1915
Breast Star, 46 mm, gilt Silver, original suspension pin on reverse. A rare cross, awarded only 234 times, in extremely fine condition! I R!

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ORDER OF LEOPOLD
Grand Cross Breast Star, Military Division (with Swords) of Prince Size, with chiseled and pierced rays of “Austrian” type, 58x58 mm., GOLD and Silver, black enameled centre medallion bearing Belgium’s golden lion rampant, within red enameled outer circlet, bearing the Order’s motto “L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE” in golden, chiseled lettering and a stylized bow below, chiseled, golden medallion’s borders, golden crossed swords, with large, embossed hilts, smooth, polished reverse, with vertical pin. An extraordinary, rare star from the early 19th Century, mint condition. I RR! Provenance: the Imperial House of Habsburg, the estate of Archduke Joseph Anton Johann Baptist of Habsburg Lorraine (Florence, 1776 – Buda, Hungary, 1847), seventh son of Emperor Leopold II, by decree of his brother, the Emperor Franz II, he became palatine of Hungary at the young age of 19, soon starting an active promotion of culture and politics in the interest of Hungary and its peculiar role within the Danubian monarchy, keeping this role until his death, happened shortly before the revolution set Europe in flames. Along his whole life, he was appreciated and respected throughout the European continent for his clear vision of progress and balance between the monarchies. He originated the Hungarian branch of the Habsburg-Lorraine family.

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ORDER OF LEOPOLD
Grand Officer's Breast Star, instituted 1832. Breast Star, 86 mm, Silver, central medalion gilt Silver, maker's "DeGreef, Bruxelles", with two side hooks and wide tapered pin on the back, in original case of issue by "de Greef, Bruxelles" with lapel hole roseete. I

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ORDER OF LEOPOLD
Commander's Cross, instituted in 1832. Neck Badge, 92x57 mm, Silver, hallmarkes "950", both sides enameled, both central medallions enameled, original suspension ring and ribbbon, in original case of issue with gilt weapons on the lid. I

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ORDER OF LEOPOLD
Knight's Cross in Diamonds, 5th Class, instituted in 1832. Breast Badge, 22x14 mm, Silver, Diamonds, one side enameled, central medallions enameled, original suspension ring and ribbon, in superb leather case of issue with gilt initials on the lid. I R!

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A Miniature Bar of 2
Two jeweled miniatures: 1) Order of Leopold, Knight’s Cross, 24 x 15 mm. GOLD, the obverse, profusely set with diamonds of different sizes, the cross’s arms, flanked by laurel wreath set with emeralds, centre medallion in gold and enamels, upper crown with its obverse set with diamonds, reverse centre medallion in gold and enamel, round suspension ring and original, silk ribbon. 2) Order of the Crown, Knight’s Cross, 24 x 15 mm., GOLD, its obverse, completely set with diamonds and centre medallion in gold and enamel, same as the reverse medallion, upper, hinged laurel wreath, set with emeralds and a brilliant on top, round ring and original, silk ribbon, both mounted on a thin, gold bar enriched with diamonds, fitted with pin to the reverse. A beautiful group from the late 19th Century; finest manufacture and excellent condition. I RR!

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ORDER OF LEOPOLD
Knight's Cross Miniature in Diamonds, 5th Class, instituted in 1832. Breast Badge, 24x15 mm, Silver with 4 big Diamonds, both sides enameled, both central medallions enameled, original suspension ring and ribbon. I R!