Oldenburg, Grand Duchy. A House and Merit Order of Peter Friedrich Ludwig in Gold, Civil Division Grand Commander, c.1890

(Haus und Verdienstorden von Herzog Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Großkomturkreuz in Gold). Instituted 27 November 1838 by Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August. (1838-1918 issue). A superb example of a Grand Commander’s Cross of the House and Merit Order of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms set within a Gold frame, the obverse bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt monogram of Grand Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig, set within a circular red enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “EIN GOTT, EIN RECHT, EINE WAHRHEIT” (“ONE GOD, ONE RIGHTEOUSNESS, ONE TRUTH”), in turn surrounded by dual Gold rings, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted Oldenburg coat of arms, topped by a crown and superimposed over a royal cloak, the arms bearing hand-painted gilt dates of “21. MAI 1829”, “27 NOV. 1838”, “6. JULI 1785”, and “17. JAN. 1755” clockwise beginning with the three o’clock arm, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop connecting to a suspension ring, in turn securing in place a gilded crown suspension with a ring connecting to a period original ribbon, unmarked, the cross measuring 49.27 mm (w) x 52.52 mm (h), the crown measuring 32.46 mm (w) x 26.38 mm (h), weighing 26.9 grams overall, with minor flecking of enamels evident, an exquisite example in extremely fine condition.