Sachsen-Weimar: Orden des Weissen Falken, RK 1. Kl. mit Schwertern

[Klaus O.]

Dear Imperialoids,

I found the above-mentioned order on a website in Germany. I am considering to purchasing it. Nevertheless I have some reserves about the fact that it's Silver gilted... I am beware of the fact that there were such crosses, but how easy or difficult would be to gilt a Silver cross (RK 2. Kl.) to "upgrade" it to the 1st class? Is it possible to say that this RK 1st class is good old "silber vergoldetes Stpck" that wasn't mess with (gilted afterwards)? Which would be the signs to consider in order to distinguish an original piece from a later gilted piece?

I am sorry for the many questions, but I would really appreciate a lot your help in this matter.

To make your task easier I am posting the RK 1st with a RK 2nd for comparisons purposes.

Thanks for looking in and eventually giving me some answers on my questions.

Ciao,

Claudio

[Adam H]

Hi Claudio,

I'm not a jeweller or a metallurgist but looking at the construction of this award I would think it would be rather difficult to "convert" a 2nd class to a 1st class. The enamel and intricacy of the award would, IMHO make it nigh impossible to do a convincing job of gilding on the silver portions of the medal. I think one would expect to find any or all of the following had this been done:

-Damage to the enamel
-Portions of silver where gilding did not adhere/was missed
-A finish that appears "out of place" with the rest of the award i.e. too new, or wrong type of gilding, etc

Although one would optimally like to have this piece in hand before making a definitive call on this issue, I think that with a trained eye like yours, Claudio, that you'll be able to determine the originality of the item and the finish with some close inspection. I hope I am right!

Cheers!

Adam

[Klaus O.]

Thanks Adam for your opinions . I also think that it would be rather difficult if not impossible to gilt afterwards a silver piece because of the complicated design of the falcon, its lines running on his "body" and the lack of damages. Herewith I am posting my Brother's and mine Falcon Orders to compare the different shades of green enamel (transparent or darker). Also the swords and the desing of the falcon are quite different.


Enjoy...

Ciao,

Claudio

[Tom Y]

A silver and enamel piece can be gilded by electroplating without damaging the enamel but the gold wouldn't be under the enamel. From the difference in color of the green on these 2, though, it looks like it was gilded first and then enameled. I'd give it a

[Klaus O.]

Another image of a OWF RK 1. Kl. mit X, in Gold!

Ciao,

[Klaus O.]

My OWF RK 1. Kl. mit X, unfortunately only the "silber vergoldet" version... nevertheless quite an attractive order... the scans are not of good quality, this order looks much better if you inspect it personally.

Ciao,