East Friesland, Principality. An Order of the Loyal Friendship, in Gold, c.1740

(Ostfriesischer Adelsorden Der Treuen Freundschaft). Instituted 1734. An unique decoration, presenting a Gold clover cross, the obverse bearing a Gold harpy surrounded by 4 stars (representing the coat of arms of the House of Circksena), the reverse in white enamel features the crowned CE monogram (Carl Edzard), surrounded by the inscription UNSER TREUE BAND (Our Loyal Band) on three sides, suspended from a gold ring attached to the integral ring, measures 39mm (w) x 42.3mm (h – inclusive of integral ring at 12 o’clock), weighs 20.6 grams, obverse presents enamel cracks and flakes in the opaque green, reverse enamels show wear and discolouration, with an evident chip at 12 o’clock, overall an unique decoration of 18th century German history (no other decoration of this type is known to exist), in very fine condition.

Footnote: This Order dates to the late 1730s, when Duke Ludwig Rudolf von Braunschweig founded the Order of “Amitie” in 1731 (whose appearance is unknown). When he died in 1735, the order went to the related East Frisian Princely House of Circksena, led by Duke Carl Edzard. Carl Edzard at this time had ruled East Friesland since June 1734, and considered himself, through personal agreement with Braunschweig, the chief of the order. The order became obsolete after Carl Edzard’s death in 1744. Twelve decorations from his estate were sent to Berlin to be sold in 1753. The inventory describes a white and green enamelled cross with “Our Loyal Band” in the inscription with the obverse bearing the coat of arms of the House of Circksena. The Circksena are a noble East Frisian family descended from a line of East Frisian chieftains from Greetsiel. Following Charles Edzards’ death, the state was taken over by Friedrich the Great and was henceforth under Prussian rule.

This decoration is published in Karsten Klingbeil’s “Orden 1700-2000“Vol 2, No. 1381.