Hohenzollern, Dynasty. A House Order of Hohenzollern, Collar & Badge, c.1935

(Fürstlicher Hausorden von Hohenzollern, Kette ohne Schwerter). Instituted 5 December 1841 by Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Constantin of Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Prince Carl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. (1930-present issue). A rare and exquisite Collar of the House Order of Hohenzollern, constructed of silver with gilding and multi-coloured enamels, the Collar Badge presenting as a Ruppert Cross with a silver gilt frame and white enamelled arms trimmed with black enameled borders, the arms joined through the quadrants with a detailed green enamelled laurel and oak leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a central white enamelled disc overlaid by a hand-painted Hohenzollern coat of arms topped by a crown, within a ring of blue enamel bearing a silvered inscription of “FÜR TREUE UND VERDIENST” (“FOR LOYALTY AND SERVICE”), joined at the bottom by a laurel and oak leaves, the reverse bearing central hand-painted integrated monograms of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Constantin and Prince Carl, within a blue enamelled ring bearing a silvered institution date “DEN 5T DECEMBER 1841”, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a gilt crown suspension with a dimpled red centrepiece, with four integral loops emanating from each corner of the crown and connecting to the collar, measures 50.2mm (w) x 79.3mm (h – inclusive of cross adorned crown), slightly loss of enamel in wreath and crown , centerpiece loose, in very fine condition. Attached to the collar via the integral crown, the collar consisting of 19 silver gilt links, with 10 of the links consisting of integrated founder monograms in Latin script, and the remaining 9 links consisting of partially-blackened stylized gilt shields with Hohenzollern coats of arms, with all 19 links joined by four integral loops emanating from the corners, the reverse are plain, the left chain completes in a clip on two different links (totalling three separate pieces), which insert into an analogous slot affixed to the end of the two different links, one clasp is marked 925, the monogram links measuring 22mm (w) x 16.7mm (h), the shield links measuring 14.8mm (w) x 29mm (h), with an overall weight of 177.3 grams, some condition issues are evident to the collar, including loss of black enamel on numerous shield links, the section between the two clasps consisting of one monogram and one shield link have been replaced, as well as some tarnishing of the silver gilt features, this collar is in an overall very fine condition.