Oldenburg, Grand Duchy. A House and Merit Order of Peter Frederick Louis, Commander’s Cross in Gold, by Bernhard Knauer

(Oldenburger Haus- und Verdienstorden Komturkreuz in Gold). Instituted 27 November 1838 by Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August. (1839-1920 issue). An exquisite Commander’s Cross of the Order of Peter Frederick Lous, constructed of 18k Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a Gold frame and white enameled arms, the obverse bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by a raised Gold monogram of Peter Frederick Louis, within a ring of red enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “EIN GOTT, EIN RECHT, EINE WAHRHREIT” (“ONE GOD, ONE RIGHTEOUSNESS, ONE TRUTH”), the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted and finely-detailed Oldenburg coat of arms, 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 bearing a hollow Gold crown suspension with an integral loop connecting to a double-looped suspension ring, the latter retaining a period original ribbon, each end of which completes in a non-magnetic metal hook, the suspension loop maker marked “KNAUER” for the firm of Bernhard Knauer, Oldenburg, the cross measuring 41.18 mm (w) x 41.30 mm (h), the crown measuring 28.17 mm (w) x 21.46 mm (h), weighing 20.3 grams overall, a striking example of the Order in near mint condition.