Lippe-Detmold, Principality. A House Order Grand Cross Breast Star with Swords, c.1914

(Fürstlich Lippischer Hausorden, Bruststern zum Großkreuz mit Schwertern). Instituted 25 October 1869 by Prince Paul Friedrich Ernst Leopold of Lippe-Detmold and Prince Adolf Georg of Schaumburg-Lippe. (1914-1918 issue). Constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of an eight-pointed radiant star, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a red enameled Lippe rose, within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “FÜR TREUE UND VERDIENST” (“FOR LOYALTY AND MERIT”), in turned set within dual ribbed rings, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the reverse with four visible rivets securing the obverse swords in place, with a raised barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a rounded catch, the pinback stamped with a silver content number of “900”, unmarked but made by Zimmermann, measuring 85.03 mm (w) x 84.75 mm (h), weighing 70.2 grams, in extremely fine condition and very rare, less then 10 awarded.