Orders of Bavaria, Order of Saint Michael and Other Crosses, Plate XI, 1844

This is an original antique wood engraving, colored by hand, showing insignia of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Across the top are a blue and gold cross with a standing female figure in the center (18) on a light blue ribbon edged in white and yellow, a blue cross with a mitered bishop (19) and a red enameled cross with a woman standing in a landscape (20) on a violet ribbon. In the middle a silver star (1) carries a gold cross with pearled edges and a blue center, and to the right hangs a crowned badge (16), a dark blue cross with a gold figure of Saint Michael in a burst of rays, on a dark blue ribbon edged in crimson; a small blue disk (17) gives a reverse. These are the insignia of the Order of Saint Michael. On the left is a gold cross with green arms and a monogram in a laurel ring (21) on a ribbon of light blue, white and black. At the foot is a section of collar (22): a crown, an oval wreath with the letter H, and a looped monogram with red tassels.

The running head reads "BAVIÈRE." (Bavaria) and the plate number "XI.". Cross 18 reads "SUB TUUM PRAESIDIUM" (under thy protection), cross 19 "PATRO NUS ON STER" around its arms (our patron), and cross 20, read around the arms, "JN JHREN EDLEN TOCHTERN" (in their noble daughters). The star and badge of Saint Michael carry "QUIS UT DEUS" (who is like God), and disk 17 reads "DOMINUS. POTENS. IN PRAELIC. PSal 93. V8." (the Lord mighty in battle, with a psalm reference). Cross 21 reads "FÜR DIE JAHRE 1813 UND 1814." (for the years 1813 and 1814).

The plate comes from Ordres de Chevalerie et Marques d'Honneur, published by Auguste Wahlen and issued in Brussels by the Librairie Historique-Artistique, rue de Schaerbeek, 12, in 1844. Auguste Wahlen was the pen name of the Belgian writer Jean-François-Nicolas Loumyer (1801 to 1875), whose title page lists his own knighthoods in orders of Prussia, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Hanover, Greece, the Roman States, Saxe-Coburg and Brazil.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.