Spain, Kingdom. A Military Order of Maria Cristina, Miniature Star, c.1900

(Orden Militar de Maria Cristina). Established by Queen Maria Cristina in 1890 and abolished in 1918. A high attractive eight-pointed faceted star constructed of silver, with obverse displaying a delicate four-armed cross with pointed ends in polished silver, embellishing by Gold fleur de lys on each arm, and a crown with a bar on the 12 o’clock arm also in Gold, centre in Gold with a nicely enameled Spanish coat of arms, surrounded by an enameled blue border inscripted MERITO EN CAMPAÑA, circumscribed by a laurel wreath along crossed swords also in polished silver, the reverse with button hole for attachment, measuring 22.69 mm (w) x 22.82 mm (h), minor loss of gilt and toned silver, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Military Order of Maria Cristina was established by Queen Regent Maria Cristina on January 30, 1890. It was awarded to members of the Spanish Army Force in recognition of great and heroic deeds, and meritorious acts within dangerous military campaigns.