Austria, Imperial. An Order of Franz Joseph, Knight’s Cross by Vincenz Mayers Söhne, ca. 1900
(Kaiserlich-Österreichischer Franz-Joseph-Orden Ritterkreuz). Instituted 2 December 1849 by Emperor Franz Joseph I. (1849-1918 issue). Constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Ruppert Cross with red enameled arms, the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a raised Gold monogram of Emperor Franz Joseph I, with a double-headed black-enameled Austrian imperial eagle set through the quadrants, with a chain suspended from the eagles’ mouths bearing a raised inscription of “VIRIBUS UNITIS” (“WITH UNITED FORCES”), the reverse with an analogous white enameled medallion bearing a raised Gold institution date of “1849”, the twelve o’clock arm with a hollow crown suspension with a ring connecting to a period original tri-fold ribbon, the suspension loop maker marked “V. MAYERS SÖHNE, WIEN”, measuring 31.15 mm (w) x 56.52 mm (h), weighing 15.5 grams, in extremely fine condition.

