Austria, Imperial. Order of the Knights of Malta, I Class Merit Cross Province of China around a central silver-grey threaded

around a central silver-grey threaded rank pip

Footnote: this type of bravery medal was rejected as soldiers refused to wear bravery award with women’s bust on it

Measuring 210 mm (w) x 310 mm (h)

chipping evident in the white enamels on the arm at 12 o'clock

an effort that must have taken many months to accomplish by the highly skilled artisans

Austria, Imperial. Order of the Knights of Malta, I Class Merit Cross Province of China around a central silver-grey threaded(Souverner Malteseorden I. Klasse Verdienstkreuz mit Kriegsdekoration). Constructed of gilded silver with multi coloured enamels, consisting of an Anchor Cross with white enamelled arms, the obverse with a central red enamelled medallion bearing a white enamelled Maltese cross, surrounded by a ring of white enamel bearing a gilt inscription of MIL. ORDO EQUITUM MELIT BENE MERENTI (MILITARY ORDER OF MERIT), the reverse medallion featuring a white