9 Prussia, Order Pour le Mérite: Important early neck badge of Russian manufacture from the period of the Napoleonic Wars, 1813 - 1815.
Gold and enamel, without ribbon. The order's motto "Pour le Mérite" and the crowned cipher "F" of the founder of the order (Frederic the Great) applied to the enamel in gold foil. Some enamel damage, well repaired in old time, one eagle replaced probably still in the period when this badge was worn by the recipient.
The eagles between the arms of the cross in the form of the Imperial Russian double-headed eagle, crowned and finely chased.
Magnificent and highly unusual badge of finest jeweller's workmanship. The design with crowned double headed eagles indicates a private, Russian manufacture.
A not inconsiderable number of Pour le Mérite awarded during the Napoleonic Wars under King Frederick William III. went to officers of the allied Russian army.
As can be seen on numerous contemporary portraits, these recipients often had the insignia of the order made at private expense, which occasionally deviated significantly from the official form.
Nevertheless, this piece is a typical example of the Napoleonic Wars and an important and highly interesting example of the Prussian-Russian alliance in the fight against Napoleon.
To my knowledge the only known example with Russian double headed eagles.
Important museum quality piece of insignia and of the greatest great rarity.
This piece is illustrated and described in Karsten Klingbeil/Andreas Thies, Orden 1700 - 2000, Vol. III, pp. 62 - 63, No. 1515.