Orders of Württemberg, Crown Star and King Frederick Cross, Plate LXXXVI, 1844

This is an original antique wood engraving, colored by hand with watercolor, showing four orders of the Kingdom of Württemberg. At the top left (1) is a silver rayed star with a red ring around a gold crown. At the top right (3) is a silver cross star with gold rays between the arms and a gold portrait center in a blue ring. Below on the left (2) is a white-enameled cross under a gold crown on a blue ribbon, its blue ring enclosing a green laurel wreath, with its reverse center, a crowned W monogram, below. On the right (4) is a white-enameled cross with gold rays between the arms and a gold portrait center in a blue ring, on a broad blue sash, with its reverse center below.

The running head reads "WURTEMBERG." and the plate number "LXXXVI.", and the pieces are numbered 1 to 4. The cross (2) and its reverse carry the motto "FURCHTLOS UND TREW" (fearless and loyal); on the star (1) the same motto is cut with the last word reversed, reading "FURCHTLOS UND WERT". The star (3) and the reverse of the cross (4) read "GOTT UND MEIN RECHT" (God and my right), and the reverse center of 4 reads "Dem Verdienste" (to merit) in blackletter. The portrait center of the cross (4) is lettered "FRIDERICK KONIG VON WURTENBERG" (Frederick, King of Württemberg).

The plate comes from Ordres de Chevalerie et Marques d'Honneur (Orders of Chivalry and Marks of Honor), published by Auguste Wahlen and issued in Brussels in 1844 by the Librairie Historique-Artistique, rue de Schaerbeek, 12. Its half title reads Histoire, costumes, décorations de tous les ordres de chevalerie, et marques d'honneur. Auguste Wahlen was the pen name of the Belgian writer Jean-François-Nicolas Loumyer (1801 to 1875), and the title page lists his own knighthoods in orders of Prussia, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Hanover, Greece, the Roman States, Saxe-Coburg and Brazil.

The blue sash and ribbons give the plate a cool, even palette that frames well with a white or pale gray mount.

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