Germany, Kingdom of Bavaria - Order of St. Michael, founded - Lot 467

Germany, Kingdom of Bavaria - Order of St. Michael, founded in 1693, restored in 1837 as the Order of the Merit of St. Michael, set of grand crosses comprising: the spectacular chased gold jewel, in the form of a midnight-blue enamelled cross pattée, with a central high-relief Saint Michael slaying the dragon, resting on a large circular halo of glories and lightning, burnished between the branches, the arms adorned with the initials PFFP meaning "Principe Fidelis Favere Patria" (faithful to the prince to serve the fatherland), in the center of the reverse the word "VIRTUTI", surmounted by an articulated royal crown, the reliefs burnished, hallmark EQ of the Munich silversmith Eduard Quellhorst on the ring (hair); the silver plate chased with openwork diamond points, the vermeil cross, the midnight-blue enameled center adorned with Saint Michael's motto in openwork gold lettering "QUIS UT DEUS", Hemmerle cartouche on the reverse, toggle pin fastening; slightly later sling. With patent on partially printed paper in the name of Baron Franz Nopcsa von Felsö-Szilvás, Grand Master of the Imperial Court of Austria, dated Munich August 16, 1869, signed by the Minister of the Royal Household, seal under cut paper of the Ministry of State of the Royal Household. The jewel: 107.7x65mm, gross weight: 58.5 g the plate: 91x93mm. Germany, last third of the 19th century. FAIR CONDITION Provenance: attributed to Franz Nopcsa von Felsö-Szilvás (1815-1904), from a noble Hungarian family, educated at the Theresianum in Vienna. He first served in the Austro-Hungarian army as a hussar, and between 1840 and 1843 was a member of the court of Archduke Charles Ferdinand. After leaving the army, he traveled throughout Italy, publishing scholarly works, mainly in botany. In 1861, he was appointed Governor of Hunyadi County, a position he held until 1867. He then held various high positions at the Imperial Court, and from 1868 to 1895 was First Chamberlain to the Empress and Queen Elisabeth.