Order of Military Virtue (with monogram WK)
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.HSK.0103.101.01.002
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
Magnificent neck badge with crown and cypher "WK" (Wilhelm Kurfuerst - William Elector). Gold and enamels, without ribbon. The monogram of Elector Wilhelm I. and the order's motto "VIR / TU / TI" are applied into the bulbous pink-red enamel of the arms of the cross in gold foil and highlighted with painted black shading. The striding Kurhessian lions between the arms of the cross in particularly fine and detailed execution.
The royal crown attached directly to the tips of the upper arms of the cross crafted in particularly sculptural work and finely chiselled. The enamel inlays of the arms of the cross are separately applied. This method of production, which was already common with the predecessor model, made it possible to repair the Order's insignia, which were subject to heavy wear and tear due to daily wearing as stipulated in the statutes. This can also be seen in the badge offered at auction.
The obverse in excellent condition, one arm of the reverse chipped. In it's origianl case of issue of dark green morocco leather with gold embossed inscription "M.V.O. / I." (Military Order of Merit)
The neck badge offered in this auction sale was awarded on September 16,1849 to Colonel Theodor Weiss, Commander of the 3rd Kurhessian Infantry Regiment in the Baden Campaign 1848/1849.
A Maltese cross made of gold on copper sheet metal and enamel, with an immobile crown placed between the tips of the 12 o’clock arm. The arms are enamelled in rose-colour with a thin gold pearled border. Between the arms are inward-facing gold crowned Hessian lions. The 12 o’clock arm features the monogram ‘WK’, the other arms the word ‘VIR’ (9 o’clock) ‘TU’ (3 o’clock) ‘TI’ (6 o’clock) (‘for virtue’) in gold painting with black shading. The reverse is smooth and without inscriptions. On a loop for suspension, on a light blue ribbon with narrow silver side stripes.
The Order of Military Virtue was established as the Order pour la vertu militaire by Landgrave Friedrich II of Hesse-Kassel on February 25, 1769, and was modelled on the Prussian Pour le Mérite.
The order was instituted in a single grade and was conferred upon officers of the Hessian army or officers of allied armies. It was conferred for military merit in both times of peace and war. When it was awarded in times of peace, it could only be awarded to individuals with the rank of Major Officer or higher.
The badges awarded under Landgrave Friedrich II bear the monogram "FL" on the upper arm of the cross. With the accession of Landgrave Wilhelm IX, this was replaced by his cypher, "WL". After Wilhelm's elevation to Elector (Wilhelm I) in 1803, the order bore the cypher "WK". In 1815, 41 crosses with the monogram "FL" and 11 with the monogram "WL" were in the treasure of the order. It is highly probable that all badges were awarded with the electoral hat until the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815.
In 1820, the name of the award was changed to Militär-Verdienstorden or Order of Military Merit.
The order became obsolete following the annexation of Hesse-Kassel by the Kingdom of Prussia in 1866.
It was awarded 242 times.
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