Saxe-Weissenfels, Duchy. An Order of the Noble Passion in Gold, Museum Exhibition Piece

(Order de la Noble Passion in Gold, Museunsstück). Instituted 24 June 1704 by Duke Johann Georg. A rare and unique museum exhibition example of the Order of the Noble Passion, constructed of 18 karat Gold with multi-coloured enamels, both the obverse and reverse present with golden-yellow enameled five-pointed stars completing in ball finials, each with central white enameled discs bearing black monograms of Duke Johann Georg, both ringed with Gold and set on top of red enameled Latin Crosses, the stars are each riveted together on the reverse, both are affixed to white enameled rings set within Gold frames, each ring bears a black inscription of “J’AIME L’HON: QUI VIENT PAR LA VERTU.” (“I LOVE TO HONOUR THOSE WHO COME WITH VIRTUE”), the twelve o’clock point with an integral loop and suspension ring, unmarked, measuring 49.95 mm in diameter, weighing 33.3 grams, both stars have loosened from their fixtures and there is some flecking evident to the enamels, in overall better than very fine condition.