Oldenburg, Grand Duchy. A House and Merit Order of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Civil Division, I Class Knight’s Cross

(Haus und Verdienstorden von Herzog Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Ritterkreuz I. Klasse). Instituted 27 November 1838 by Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August. (1856-1918 issue). Constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms, the obverse bearing a central blue enameled disc overlaid by a gilded monogram of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, in turn surrounded by a red enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “EIN GOTT, EIN RECHT, EINE WAHRHEIT” (“ONE GOD, ONE RIGHTEOUSNESS, ONE TRUTH”), itself set within dual gilded rings, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted and finely-detailed Oldenburg coat of arms with details executed in gilt, the arms bearing clockwise gilt dates of “17. JAN. 1755”, “21. MAI 1822”, “21. NOV. 1838”, and “6. JULI 1785”, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop connecting a silver crown suspension, in turn topped by a loop retaining a period original ribbon, unmarked, the cross measuring 40.20 mm (w) x 43.30 mm (h), the crown measuring 20.64 mm (w) x 19.32 mm (h), weighing 18.0 grams overall (inclusive of ribbon), the obverse blue medallion demonstrates evidence of re-attachment with glue remnants visible around the centrepiece, in addition to moderate tarnishing of the gilded frame, in overall very fine condition.