| 271 Provenienz: Es handelt sich hierbei um das Exemplar aus der Künker-Auktion 173 vom 25. Juni 2010, Los 8176. Military Order “For Bravery”, a Cross 3rd Class, 1st pattern (1880-86) Silver, gilt and enamelled, on an old pentagonal ribbon, the inside of the suspension ring punched with 84 zolotniki for silver, St. Petersburg city mark for the years 1865 until 1896 and master’s mark “NP” of the jeweller company Charles Nicholls & William Plinke of St . Petersburg. Weight 19.8 g, dimensions 58.5 x 38.6 mm. The first model was donated in four classes for military bravery by Duke Alexander of Bulgaria on 1 January 1880. The order was awarded in classes 1 to 4 and an affiliated soldier’s cross initially divided into three classes. On 1 December 1885, the Soldier’s Cross 4rd Class was donated, followed by the donation of the Grand Cross with and without death’s heads on 1 March 1886. The Grand Cross with death’s heads was only worn by the sovereign as Grand Master of the Order. The first version of this order was awarded between 1880 and 1886. Cf. Todor Petrov, “Bulgarian Orders andMedals”, p. 315, which lists a total of 24 awards of the 3rd-class cross, 12 of them to foreigners. The English jewellers William Plinke and Charles Nicholls maintained a shop in St . Petersburg. In 1815, they took over the business from John Pickersgill . In 1844, Nicholls and Plinke were awarded the hereditary honorary citizenship. Owing to their status as purveyors to the imperial court and the Russian aristocracy, their business became one of the most exclusive jewellery and silver shops in Russia. Fabergé eventually outshone Nicholls &Plinke, forcing them to close due to financial issues. Provenance: This object was offered by the company Künker at its auction no. 173 on 25 June 2010 under lot no. 8176. 301461 II € 3.500 3456
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDA0OTk=