Saxe-Altenburg, Duchy. A Saxe-Ernestine House Order, I Class Knight’s Cross with Swords, c.1915

(Herzoglich Sachsen-Ernestinischer Hausorden Ritterkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted 25 March 1833 by Dukes Ernst I, Friedrich, and Bernhard Erich Freund. (1850-1918 issue). Constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with ball finials and white enameled arms, the quadrants joined by lions passant, pierced through the centre by crossed swords, the obverse bearing a central gilt medallion with a raised leftward-facing profile of Duke Ernst, within a ring of blue enamels bearing a gilt inscription of “FIDELISTER ET CONSTANTER” (“FAITHFUL AND STEADFAST”), in turn set within a green enameled laurel wreath, the reverse bearing a central gilt and enameled Saxe-Altenburg coat of arms, within a ring of blue enamels bearing a gilt date of “25. DECEMBER 1833”, set within a green enameled laurel wreath, with stylized ribbons emanating from the twelve o’clock arm and connecting to a hollow silver gilt crown suspension with a loop and original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 45.92 mm (w) x 70.46 mm (h) (inclusive of crown suspension), weighing 27.9 grams, in extremely fine condition.