Austria, Imperial. A Superb & Rare Leopold Order in Gold with Diamonds, Grand Cross, by Rothe, c.1880

(Großkreuz des Leopold-Ordens in Gold und Diamanten). A superb and extremely rare Leopold Order in gold with diamonds of extremely fine quality manufacture. The award consists of a Maltese cross constructed of a gold frame with dotted edges for decoration, and white and red enameled arms. The centre is constructed of a sun-ray patterned red enameled core, inscribed “F.I.A” for “Franciscus Imperator Austriae” in silver lettering, decorated with fifteen small European-cut diamonds. The central medallion is surrounded by a ring consisting of fifteen European-cut diamonds, measuring approximately 4.20 mm in diameter. The reverse with a white enameled central medallion, inscribed “Opes Regum Corda Subditorum” (Latin - The deeds of kings wins the hearts of their subjects). It is surrounded by a hollow ring that makes the underside of the diamonds on the obverse visible. It is suspended from a silver loop ordained with eight European-cut diamonds, and is marked with “FR” for “C. F. Rothe & Neffe, Vienna”, “750” for gold content, and an additional gold content mark for 18k Gold on the reverse of the ring. Suspended from the ring is a hollow crown with partially red enameled core, constructed of a gold reverse and a silver obverse, ordained with a total of one hundred and thirty two diamonds, including the upper loop for suspension from its period original 103 mm wide ribbed sash. The sash has been marked by pen on the inward facing side, but is otherwise untouched. An exemplary piece.