Bavaria, Kingdom. A Military House Order of St.George, Grand Cross Star, by Eduard Quellhorst, c. 1858

(Königreich Bayern Haus-Ritter-Ordem vom HI. George, Bruststern zum Großkreuz). Instituted 18 Mach 1728 (1728-1918 issue). Constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse arms with blue enameled arms with pebbled borders, the quadrants with white and blue enameled rhombuses, with ball finials adorning both the arms and rhombuses, with a central white enameled medallions bearing a St. George’s Cross in red enamel, the reverse with a barrel hinge and dual tapering vertical pinbacks meeting a pair of round wire catches, with eight visible rivets holding obverse features in place, maker marked “Edward Quellhorst, Juwelier u. Goldarbeiter in München”, measuring 83 mm (w) x 83 mm (h), weighing 59.8 grams, slight chipping is evident to the enamel of the St. George’s Cross as well as the three o’clock arm of the Maltese Cross, otherwise in near extremely fine condition.

Includes a certificate of authenticity by Andreas Schulze Ising and Bernd Kruse of Medalnet Appraisal Services, issued 10 December 2018.

Footnote: By royal statue, the House Order of St. George is to have a maximum of six Grand Cross holders, twelve Commander’s Cross holders, and an unrestricted number of Knight’s Cross holders at any time. Requirements for entry to the Order arestringent; nominees had to demonstrate unblemished royal or noble descent for the preceding three centuries, later amended to four centuries, were required to be at least 21 years of age, to have travelled abroad or served in a war, and to hold a minimum civil service rank of captain. The King of Bavaria, and subsequently the claimant to the House of Wittelsbach, sits as the Grand Master of the Order.