Commander’s Cross with Brilliants. Neck Badge, 97 x 61 mm., with 363 diamonds for a total of 2,02 ct., 2 rubies and 2 emeralds, the arms in gold with ruby red translucent enamel on a finely chiseled ground, centre medallion with green enameled circlet, red enameled center with diamonds set Royal cipher, the outer circlet also set with old cut brilliants, the crossed swords, completely set with brilliants of different sizes, to obtain the best optical effect, the reverse, also red enameled, the medallion with green outer circlet, red centre with Bulgarian lion in gold, swords’ reverse with most accurate “ajour” and chiselwork, the suspension loop set with a large brilliant (the reverse with a complicate, hinged rear plate), gold crown with obverse face in silver, fully set with brilliants, emeralds and rubies, ribbon ring struck on the inside with the maker’s mark “C.F. ZIMMERMANN HOFJUVELIER PFORZHEIM” and engraved with the Roman numeral “XII”; original, silk neck ribbon with stripes. An exceptionally rare piece in perfect, pristine condition.
Provenance: H.M. Ferdinand I, Tsar of Bulgaria, Sotheby’s – London, 7th of July 1998. I RR!