Austria, Imperial. An Order of Franz Joseph, Miniature Collar & Badge in Gold

(Kaiserlich-Österreichischer Franz-Joseph-Orden Ritterkreuz). Instituted 2 December 1849 by Emperor Franz Joseph I. (1849-1918 issue). A Gold cross with red enamelled arms, with a double headed black enamelled in each quadrant, holding a chain with the inscription VIRBUS UNITIS (With United Forces), the obverse medallion features the initials FJ on a white enamelled field, the reverse medallion features the year 1849 on a white enamelled field, the cross is surmounted by a moveable crown, measures 17.95mm (w) x 31mm (h – inclusive of crown), weighs 2.9 grams, enamels intact, in extremely fine condition.

A section of the Order’s miniature collar in Gold comprising 7 links of alternating crowns on white enamelled fields (four links) and links with red enamelled FJ initials (three links), each connected by four integral rings and two loops between each link, each link measures 6.8mm (w) x 5.7mm (h), the reverse of each link is plain, as a whole section of links measures 60mm in length, weighs 2.9 grams, enamel damage to the white surrounding the crowns, one integral ring broken leading to loose link, in near very fine condition.