Star of the Grosskreutz of the Order of Philip the Magnanimous, 2nd type, Hesse.

The original and very rare star of the Order is in excellent condition. Silver, gold, enamel. The original title is "Orden Philipps des Gro? mütigen – Bruststern zum Gro? kreuz. 2 Modell». The dimensions are 83.1*84.4 mm. Guarantee of authenticity.

The Order of Philip the Magnanimous (German: Großherzoglich Hessischer Verdienstorden) is an award of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. The Order was established on May 1, 1840 by the Grand Duke of Hesse and the Rhine, Ludwig II, in memory of his ancestor Philip I the Magnanimous, who before his death in 1567 divided his possessions between four sons from his first marriage and thereby laid the foundation for the existence of the Duchy of Hesse. The reigning monarch was the Grand Master of the Order. The Order was awarded for differences in both military and civil service. The knights of the Grand Cross of the Order were the Russian emperors Nicholas I and Alexander II. Initially, the order existed in four classes: Grand Cross, 1st class, 2nd class, Knight of the Order. During its existence, the Order has undergone many changes in the statute. In 1849, a Silver Cross of the 1st and 2nd class was established as a junior degree, crossed swords were introduced in gold for the 1st class and in silver for the 2nd class cross. The Knight's Cross was divided in 1859 into a knight of the 1st and 2nd class. In 1881, a golden crown was added. In 1893, the award of the Order with swords was limited and it was awarded only for outstanding achievements during the war. The last change was made in 1911, when the commander's star received golden rays in the corners of the cross. Until the end of the monarchy in 1918, the order consisted of seven classes:

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  Grand Cross

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  Commander of the I class

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  Commander of the II class

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  Cross of Honor

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  Knight of the first class

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  Knight of the II class

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  Silver Cross

Those awarded the order were allowed to add the image of the order to their ancestral coat of arms. In the event of the death of the awarded person, the badges of the order were supposed to be returned to the Chapter of the Order.