Military Order of Max Joseph, Grand Cross Breast Star

CATEGORY: Version

SKU: 01.BAV.0105.102.01.000

Estimated market value:

$12,000 USD

  • Military Order of Max Joseph, Grand Cross Breast Star Obverse
  • Military Order of Max Joseph, Grand Cross Breast Star Reverse
  • Military Order of Max Joseph, Grand Cross Breast Star Obverse Detail
  • Military Order of Max Joseph, Grand Cross Breast Star Obverse Detail
  • Military Order of Max Joseph, Grand Cross Breast Star Reverse Detail

Estimated market value:

$12,000 USD

Attributes

  • Country
    Germany
  • Composition
    Silver/Gold/Enamelled
  • Inscription
    Obv: VIRTUTI PRO PATRIA
  • Size
    83x83mm
  • Version Remarks
    This version is constructed of gold, silver, and enamels. It is scarce.

Physical Description and Item Details


An eight-rayed star constructed of silver, gold, and enamels. The obverse bears a Maltese cross with ball finials at the points of each arm. The arms are textured and have a gold textured border. The centre of the cross bears a blue enamel medallion with the inscription “VIRTUTI PRO PATRIA”. The reverse bears a pinback.

History


The Military Order of Max Joseph was instituted on January 1, 1806 by Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria. It was originally divided into three classes: Grand Cross, Commander’s Cross, and Knight’s Cross.

It was established to reward excellent military service and bravery. Individuals who received the order were knighted and thus permitted to add the title of “Ritter von” to their family name, and those who were not already members of the nobility were ennobled.
The descendants of two religious knights qualified for hereditary nobility.

Foreigners could receive the order, but did not receive a knighthood, thus were not permitted to use the title of “Ritter von”. Since the heads of states other than Bavaria could also bestow knighthood onto a subject, it is important to note that not all individuals with the title “Ritter von” were recipients of the Military Order of Max Joseph.
The Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown also carried with it a title of nobility and some noble families possessed the title.

The awards of the order began to be numbered on October 27, 1840. Following the collapse of the Bavarian monarchy in 1918, the Order became obsolete. However, outstanding award recommendations were issued until 1922.

The Military Order of Max Joseph is organized as such: Grand Cross and Grand Cross Breast Star, Commander Cross, Knight’s Cross, and Official’s Cross.

The Grand Cross was worn on a sash, but also on a neck ribbon.

Some versions of the Grand Cross Breast Star were manufactured by Juweliere Gebrüder Hemmerle vorm. Elchinger (Jewellers Brothers Hemmerle, formally Elchinger), Munich, and feature the silver hallmark
"900".

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