Saxony, Kingdom. An Albrecht Order, Officer’s Cross with Swords, by Alfred Roesner c.1915

(Albrechts-Orden Offizierkreuz mit Schwertern). Instituted 31 December 1850 by King Friedrich August II. Second Model 1876-1918 “Young Portrait Type.” (Issued 1898-1918). In silver gilt, consisting of a white-enameled Latin cross with a narrow border, with green laurels in each quadrant, obverse centre in white enamels featuring the right-facing head of Duke Albrecht, surrounded by a light blue enameled ring with the golden inlaid inscription “ALBERTUS ANIMOSUS” (“ALBERT THE BOLD”), bottom with two golden arabesques separated by a small six-pointed golden star, reverse centre presents the Kingdom of Saxony coat of arms bordered by the maker’s inscription “ALFRED ROESNER DRESDEN, KGL. HOFJUWELIER,” vertical pinback with a barrel hinge and a broad wire catch, measuring 46.23 mm (w) x 70.52 mm (h - inclusive of five-pointed Imperial Crown), weighing 33.1 g, with some enamel loss to the oak leaves, otherwise extremely fine.

Footnote:The Abrecht Order Officer’s Cross with Swords was awarded to 321 recipients, including 4 in Gold and 317 in gilded silver. During the First World War, 307 received the Officer’s Cross with Swords. See, Jörg Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen Bis 1945: Sachsen-Württemberg I (München: Zentralstelle für wissenschaftliche Ordenskunde, 1999), 1251.