30 Kingdom of Wurttemberg: Order of the Crown of Wurttemberg: Commander's neck Badge with Swords (Military Division)

Gold and enamels. The genuine gold swords soldered directly to the upper arm of the cross. On the original ribbon. In a beautiful, but not matching case from the jeweller Koch.

This piece is a particularly early example from the workshop of the royal Württemberg court jeweller Steinam with the typical finely chased surrounding lions. These pieces were first awarded during the war against France in 1870/1871.

The badge was returned after the first award following the death of the recipient and was re-awarded to the Imperia Austrian Major - General David Eduard Blaschke during the First World War. Blaschke served in the Imperial Austrian Hussar's Regiments No. 11, 16 and 6 before his promotion to General.

Attached is a beautiful photo of the recipient on which this Commander's Cross can be clearly recognised.

Extraordinarily rare splendid example in outstanding condition and quality.

Only very few early Steinam pieces with swords are known. 

The court Jeweller's Franz Steinam were entrusted with the manufacture of Württemberg orders between 1847 and 1886.

According to Klein/Raff, only 56 Commander's Crosses with Swords were awarded between 1870 and 1886.

This is therefore an exceptionally rare version of this Württemberg war decoration.

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