5 Breast Star for the Grand Cross of the Grand Ducal - Hessian Order of Merit (Ludewigs Order) from the time of the Napoleonic Wars.

Hollow embossed silver, with enamelled gold medallion. With 3 of 8 eyelets for sewing on. Presumably of foreign manufacture with an incorrect inscription (ERRE instead of EHRE).

The quality of this star suggests that it was made privately for a high-ranking foreign officer or civilian dignitary. Misspellings in the order's motto occur primarily in examples made in France and are not uncommon in the Napoleonic period, when this order was awarded to large numbers of Frenchmen.

A beautiful and interesting historical piece.

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