Badge of the Order of Franz Josef in the degree of "knight", Austria-Hungary

Silver, enamel, gilding, stamping. The original order is in excellent collector's condition. On the original shoe. Guarantee of authenticity.

The Imperial Austrian Order of Franz Josef (German: Kaiserlich-Österreichische Franz-Josephs-Orden) is a state award of the Austro—Hungarian Empire. It was established by Emperor Franz Joseph on December 2, 1849, on the anniversary of his coronation. The Order ceased to exist in 1918, after the collapse of Austria-Hungary. The charter of the Order stipulated that Austrian citizens should be awarded for their unwavering loyalty to the emperor and the fatherland in wartime and peacetime, for exemplary performance of their duties, for useful inventions, discoveries and improvements in the field of industry and agriculture, for services in the field of sciences and arts, for selfless activity for the benefit of humanity, which served to glorify the throne and the fatherland and thus subject to public recognition. The order could also be awarded to foreigners at the discretion of the monarch.