Lippe, Principality. A Princely House Order, Grand Cross in Gold, c.1880

(Fürstlich Lippischer Hausorden, Großkreuz in Gold). Type I. Instituted 25 October 1869 by Prince Leopold II of Lippe and Prince Adolf Georg I of Schaumburg-Lippe. Type I. (1869-1890 issue). A striking example of the Grand Cross of the Princely House Order, constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with each arm finished with white enamels and completing in ball finials, the obverse bearing a central Gold eight-pointed radiant star, with a central white enameled medallion bearing a red enameled Lippe rose, within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “FÜR TREUE UND VERDIENST” (“FOR LOYALTY AND SERVICE”), the reverse bearing a central Gold eight-pointed radiant star, with a central blue enameled medallion bearing the combined gilt and crowned monograms of Prince Leopold II and Prince Adolf Georg, with dual ribbons emanating from the top of the twelve o’clock arm and connecting to a hollow crown suspension, in turn topped by an integral loop and suspension ring retaining a period original length of neck ribbon, unmarked, measuring 63.23 mm (w) x 90.84 mm (h) (inclusive of suspension apparatus), weighing 45.2 grams, with minor flecking evident to the enamels, a stunning example in extremely fine condition.