Bavaria, Kingdom. A Rare Medical Military Order, I Class Cross, by Gebrüder Hemmerle, c.1914

(Militär-Sanitäts-Orden I. Klasse). Instituted 16 October 1914 by King Ludwig III. (1914-1920 issue). A rare I Class Cross of the Bavarian Medical Military Order, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms set within a gilt frame, the obverse bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt monogram of King Ludwig III, within a ring of white enamel bearing a gilt date of “1914” and filled out with arabesques and laurel branches, the reverse bearing an analogous central blue enameled medallion, overlaid by a gilt inscription of “FÜR VERDIENSTE IM KRIEGE” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR”), within a ring of white enamel bearing a gilt laurel wreath, the twelve o’clock arm with an integral loop connecting to a suspension ring, in turn retaining a period original ribbon, the six o’clock arm stamped with a silver content number of “900”, otherwise unmarked but with the physical characteristics of manufacture by Gebrüder Hemmerle, Munich, measuring 43.94 mm (w) x 48.09 mm (h), weighing 35.5 grams, a scarce and superb example in extremely fine condition.