Der Nachlass Leonrod

| 93 Wilhelm Freiherr von Leonrod – A 1st Class order set of the Brunswick House Order of Henry the Lion in the presentation case The eight-pointed order cross made of gilt silver with opaque light blue enamel by the Brunswick court jeweller, Hermann Jürgens, from 1908. The medallions (ring and appliqué) wrought in gold, the segmented loop stamped with the manufacturer’s intertwined initials “HJ”, cres- cent, crown and “900” hallmark, on an elongated circlip. Width 68 mm. Weight 35.1 g. The eight-rayed breast star wrought in silver with alternating convex and concave star rays. The medallion in gold bearing the motto of the order “IMMOTA FIDES” (Steadfast in faith) enamelled in various col- ours, some translucent, and embellished with extremely fine gold dust and enamel painting (the peacock feathers, Welf stallion and tourna- ment helmet of the Brunswick House coat of arms). The circular manu- facturer’s signet “HERM. JÜRGENS HOF-JUWELIER BRAUN- SCHWEIG”, the pin with “HJ”, crescent, crown and “900” hallmark on the matte rear side. Width 84 mm. Weight 71 g. Together with the original-length, customised and worn order sash of the 1st Class (with narrower, yellow borders), in the red leather, gold-embossed (ducal crown) presentation case (from (tr). “Purveyor to the Court FR.BAUMBACHBrunswick”) with a hinged ribbon com- partment and the manufacturer’s gold-embossed signet, with an old note inside (tr.): “Grand Cross of the Brunsw. Henry the Lion”, and the wearer’s handwritten comment (tr.) “Leaping W. stallion”. Not created until 1908 as the 2nd Grand Cross Class (similar to the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle) for the order that was instituted in 1834, the appeal of this order grade lies in the understated elegance of its design, after the older order crosses had been mocked for their lavish baroque fauna at the time. Despite being watered down in collectors’ perception due to countless forgeries during the 80s, this exceptionally rare order set was actually only awarded 118 times (see Klenau 2008, p. 169) and is in almost per- fect condition. 247779 I - II € 5.500 1052