Bavaria, Kingdom. A Military Order of St. George, Embroidered Grand Cross Star, c. 1790

Instituted April 24, 1724 by Elector Charles Albert of Bavaria. A rare and delicate grand cross embroidered breast star, composed of blue and red thread, silver bullion and sequins and card, featuring a Maltese cross with eyelets at each end and small points between each quadrant, the centre is raised presenting a red threaded cross and silver bullion cord in each quarter, the reverse is partially reinforced, measures 51.5mm in diameter, weighs 3.4 grams, thread faded, reverse reinforced backer partially missing, wear associated with age, in very fine condition.

Footnote: The institution of the Military Order of St. George has been disputed by various historians, but most sources state that the institution of the Military Order of St. George was on March 20, 1729 by Elector Charles Albert of Bavaria. The tradition of loyalty to St. George, the patron saint of chivalry, had been long established in Germany before the institution of the Military Order of St. George. In order to qualify as a knight of the Military Order of St. George, one had to prove a minimum of 17 noble ancestors from their paternal line and 17 noble ancestors from their maternal line (approximately 300 years of ancestry). No merit was required to receive the award other than proving one's noble family lineage and being Roman Catholic. In 1741, the order was reformed and a clerical class was introduced - also limited to those with noble ancestry. The clerical class included a Bishop, Provosts, four Deans and Chaplains.