France, First Republic. An Order of Saint Louis in Gold, Knight, c.1800 consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac an early example

an early example

when the Italian army launched the decisive offensive of Vittorio Veneto and non-Austrian troops left their positions

within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “FÜR TREUE UND VERDIENST” (“FOR LOYALTY AND MERIT”) joined together at the bottom by laurel branches

The scabbard is made of metal

during which it came to prominence

France, First Republic. An Order of Saint Louis in Gold, Knight, c.1800 consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac an early example(Ordre Royal et Militaire de Saint Louis). Instituted in 1693. In 18 karat Gold, a four armed white enameled Maltese cross with ball finials, and a Gold fleur de lis in each quadrant, the obverse medallion presenting an enameled standing figure of a caped St. Louis on a red enamel background, encircled in a blue enamel ring inscribed LUD. MAG. INST. 1693., reverse medallion features a sword and green enamel wreath on a red field, surrounded by a blue