Saxon Duchies. A Saxe-Ernestine House Order, I Class Knight’s Cross with Swords

(Herzoglich Sachsen-Ernestinischer Hausorden Ritterkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted 25 December 1833 by Duke Friedrich of Saxe-Altenburg, Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and Duke Bernhard II of Saxe-Meiningen. (1850-1918 issue). Constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms completing in ball finials, joined together through the quadrants by lions passant, the obverse bearing a central gilt medallion overlaid by a leftward-facing profile of Duke Ernst I, set within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER” (“FAITHFUL AND STEADFAST”), in turn surrounded by a green enameled laurel leaf wreath, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the reverse bearing a central gilded and enameled Saxe-Ernestine coat of arms, set within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt institution date of “D. 25 DECEMBER 1833”, in turn surrounded by a green enameled laurel leaf wreath, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a hollow crown suspension with a loop retaining a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 45.14 mm (w) x 69.02 mm (h), weighing 29.0 grams (inclusive of ribbon), the enamels demonstrate some flecking with a fine crack to the obverse three o’clock arm and most of the gilt finish has been lost, in near extremely fine condition.