Austria, Imperial. An 1813-1814 Grand Cross, Museum Exhibition Example

(1813-1814 Kreuz, Museumsstücke). Constructed of blackened and gilded bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with blackened and pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a raised and gilded inscription of “GRATI PRINCEPS ET PATRIA, FRANC. IMP. AUG.” (“A GRATEFUL PRINCE AND COUNTRY, FRANZ, EMPEROR AND KING”), the reverse bearing a raised and gilded inscription of “EUROPAE LIBERTATE ASSERTA MDCCCXIII-MDCCCXIV” (“EUROPE’S LIBERTY ASSERTED 1813-1814”), unmarked, measuring 47.30 mm (w) x 51.38 mm (h), in extremely fine condition. Footnote: The sole recipient of the 1813-1814 Grand Cross was Generalfeldmarschall Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of Bohemia. In this capacity, Schwarzenberg was the most senior of the allied commanders of the Campaigns of 1813-1814.