(Orden der Westfälischen Krone). Instituted 1809 by King Hieronymus I of Westphalia. Second German Empire. (1852-1870). A rare collar, composed silver gilt with twelve links depicting alternating horses, crowned rampant lions, and crowned half eagle half lion hybrids contained in green enamelled wreaths, ten links with of gilt eagles, connected via ornate designs with floral motifs, the central link features crown with blue enamel riband inscribed CHARAC.UND AUFRIC (Character and Honesty) on the obverse, surmounted by a crowned rampant lion, half eagle half lion, and horse, with a large crown eagle above, inscribed JE LES UNIS in gilt on the beam, the reverse of the links are plain, with the reverse of the central link bearing a blue enamel shield inscribed HN, with the blue enamelled riband of the crown inscribed ER.IC.DEN.XVIDENCMDCCCI, central link measures 52.3mm (w) x 73.2mm (h),the link directly opposite the central one is a blue enamelled disc encircled by a snake consuming its own tail, inscribed ERRICHTET.DEN.XXV.DEC.MDCCCIX, roughly 1200mm in length, minor enamel wear throughout the collar, eyelets on wreath link next to blue link broken, multiple eyelets misshapen allowing unhooking. As there are no surviving examples from the first German Empire, this collar is a rare and extremely interesting specimen, of near extremely fine condition.
This example was previously presented at Auction House Andreas Thies (Catalogue 61, October 2016) for €10,000.
Footnote: This collar is an identical match to the one located in the museum Napoleon I kept in the Castle of Fontainebleau. It is unlikely that King Jerome of Westphalia (Napoleon’s brother) was awarded the Order of Westphalia, decorations were made during this time for him and the living French porters. This collar may be counted among these pieces.
The Order of the Crown of Westphalia was founded on December 25, 1809, by Napoleon's brother Jerome Bonaparte, also known as King Hieronymus I of Westphalia. The Order was established in three grades and could be awarded to civilians and military personnel. The Order was discontinued in 1813 following the collapse of the Westphalian Government.
Provenance: Andreas Thies, Lot 75, Auction 61, October 2016