Austria, Imperial. An Order of Saint John in Gold and Quartz, c.1800

Of high quality manufacture, an extremely rare Renaissance-styled Order of St. John, consisting of a clear polished central genuine Quartz with multiple fine facets, contained within a frame of 18kt Gold shaping a sun with alternated enameled white and red rays, the obverse presenting a hand-made image of St. John in multi-colored enamel, with reverse framed by a fine enameled white Maltese Cross, measuring 59.09 mm (w) x 70.62 mm (h - inclusive the integral ring), weighing 99.6 grams, presenting light contact, an early piece in extremely good condition. Accompanied by a unique presentation case, consisting of a corrugated hard-structure green case in wood, with exterior adorned by ornamented gilded patterns on the edges, the exterior of the lid inscribed HAGENBRUCH’ SCHES FIDEICOMMISS (referring to inheritance of Hagenburgh family) with gilded lettering, the lid interior in white-cream silk, with medalbed in sloped blue velvet, measuring 73 mm (w) x 40 mm (h) x 98 mm (l), with functional two sliders and catches, presenting minor faded green and wearing surface along the case, light contact in the medalbed, otherwise a rare and unique historical piece in very good condition.

Footnote: The Order was originally founded by Godfrey of Bouillon in 1099. Following Godfrey’s successful campaign to conquer the Holy Land, he assigned a pilgrim hospital in Jerusalem with a constitution and lands. The hospital was run by several of Godfrey’s Knights, who later founded a spiritual Order. The Order was confirmed by Pope Paschal II in 1113. The Knights were originally divided into three grades, Knights, Priests, and Brother Servants. Knights were in charge of protecting pilgrims and battling infidels. Priests managed the Order’s spiritual responsibilities. Brother servants were responsible for taking care of the sick and wounded in peacetime, while in wartime they functioned as lower ranks in the Order’s military ranks.