(Hausorden der Treue, Großkreuz mit Bruststern, 1. Modell). Instituted 17 July 1715 by Margrave Karl III Wilhelm. (1715-1803 issue). An exceptionally rare and well-preserved first variation Grand Cross set of the House Order of Fidelity, consisting of:
1. A cross, constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with red enameled arms, completing in ball finials and joined together through the quadrants by monograms of Margrave Karl (stylized as “C”), the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a hand-painted monogram of Margrave Karl, circumscribed by an inscription of “FIDELITAS” (“FIDELITY”) and and finely-detailed mountains, the reverse with a central medallion featuring Baden national colours executed in Gold with red enamel, the twelve o’clock arm with an integral loop connecting to a ribbed suspension ring with a crown device executed in Gold with multi-coloured enamels, featuring a reverse loop for attachment to an accompanying full-length sash ribbon, constructed of light yellow silk and trimmed along both edges with machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresses, the cross unmarked and measuring 53.44 mm (w) x 53.29 mm (h), the crown measuring 36.07 mm (w) x 22.57 mm (h), weighing 39.3 grams overall, with minor flecking visible to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.
2. A breast star, constructed of silver aluminum wire carefully embroidered around a pressed card stock core, the obverse consisting of an eight-pointed radiant starburst with ribbed rays, bearing a central Maltese Cross constructed of pale gold sequins with red foil arms, completing in ball finials and joined together through the quadrants by monograms of Margrave Karl, with a central beige embroidered medallion bearing a monogram of Margrave Karl, circumscribed by an inscription of “FIDELITAS” (“FIDELITY”) and stylized mountains, the reverse retaining the majority of an off-white parchment liner, unmarked, measuring 100 mm (w) x 100 mm (h), weighing 20.6 grams, demonstrating only minor signs of age-appropriate material fatigue, in extremely fine condition.