Oldenburg, Grand Duchy. A House Order of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Military Division Grand Commander’s Cross, Museum Exhibition Example

(Oldenburger Haus- und Verdienstorden, Großkomturkreuz mit Schwertern und Lorbeer, Museumsstück). Instituted 27 November 1838 by Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August. Constructed of a gilded silver alloy with multi-coloured enamels consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms set within a gilded frame, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded monogram of Grand Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig, within a ring of red enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “EIN GOTT, EIN RECHT, EINE WAHRHEIT” (“ONE GOD, ONE RIGHTEOUSNESS, ONE TRUTH”), in turn within dual gilded rings, the three and nine o’clock arms bearing laurel leaf branches with green enameled leaves, with the base and tip of each branch meeting the six and twelve o’clock arms, respectively, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion bearing a hand-painted coat of arms, the arms overlaid by hand-painted dates of “21. MAI 1829”, “27 NOV. 1838”, “6 JUL. 1785”, and “17. JAN. 1755” clockwise from the three o’clock arm, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop connected to a swivel hinge with a hollow gilded crown suspension, topped by an additional loop, unmarked, the cross measuring 56.90 mm (w) x 60.35 mm (h), the crown measuring 36.88 mm (w) x 32.74 mm (h), weighing 61.0 grams overall, moderate loss of finish is evident to the gilded features with additional flecking of the enamel, the latter including a large chip to the reverse twelve o’clock arm, a museum exhibition example in very fine condition.