Order of Malta - Large cross called "Maltese"... Lot 484

Order of Malta - Large cross called "Maltese" in gold enamelled white on the obverse and black on the reverse, anglée of fleur-de-lys in relief, decorated in the center of a small medallion set with a stone of the Rhine, high foliage pattern chased at the top and bottom, open suspension ring in vermeil, punch of small guarantee of department to the head of cock on the right (in use from 1809 to 1819), later ribbon (small chips). 67 x 47.5 mm, gross weight: 17.2 g France, early 19th century. These jewels, in the form of crosses or medallions, sometimes presented as crosses of knights of Malta, were worn in Arles at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, both by elegant women and by craftswomen, in their traditional dress. This fact is attested by numerous portraits. TTB