Austria, Imperial. An Order of Leopold, Commander’s Cross with War Decoration and Swords, Collector’s Example c. 1970

(Österreichisch-kaiserlicher Leopold-Orden, Kommanderkreuz mit Kriegsdekoration und Schwertern, Museumsstück). Constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, both the obverse and reverse with red enameled arms trimmed with white enamels, the obverse bearing a central red enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt monogram of Emperor Franz Joseph, within a ring of white enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “INTEGRITATI ET MERITO” (“INTEGRITY AND MERIT”), the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt inscription of “OPES REGUM CORDA SUMBDITORUM” (“THE POWER OF RULERS LIES IN THE HEARTS OF THEIR SUBJECTS”, the motto of Emperor Leopold II), the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loops connecting to a gilded and enameled suspension apparatus consisting of an imperial crown situated above a semi-circular laurel wreath, in turn topped by a ring with an additional loop that retains a period original full-length neck ribbon, unmarked, the cross measuring 40.41 mm (w) x 45.19 mm (h), the crown suspension measuring 36.28 mm (w) x 36.52 mm (h), weighing 29.5 grams, minor surface chipping is visible throughout the enamels and some verdigris is evident to the base metal, a high-quality Rothe-style exhibition example in near extremely fine condition.