Pour le Mérite (Blue Max)

The item depicted is a Pour le Mérite, often referred to as the 'Blue Max,' which was the Kingdom of Prussia’s highest military order until the end of World War I. It is a cross-shaped medal, specifically a Maltese cross, with arms tapering outwards and a V-notch at the end of each arm. The primary color of the cross faces is a deep, rich Prussian blue, likely enameled, with golden borders outlining each arm. The center of the cross features an intricate gold design, likely laurel wreaths, emanating from the center point, creating a textured background for the enameled arms. In each of the four spaces between the points of the cross, there is a golden 'Prussian Eagle' positioned. The front of the cross bears the inscription 'Pour le Mérite' in gold lettering, split across the arms ('Pour' on the upper left, 'le' in the center, and 'Mérite' on the lower right). At the topmost arm, a small loop is present, through which a jump ring and a more modern-looking metal clasp with a white string are attached. This modern attachment suggests the medal might be for display or sale, rather than being worn as originally intended with a ribbon. The medal appears to be in overall good condition with some visible wear consistent with its age, possibly minor chipping or wear to the enamel or tarnishing to the gold, but no significant damage or repairs are immediately apparent from the image. The craftsmanship appears to be of high quality, typical for military orders of this stature. Given the style and historical context, this item dates to the 19th or early 20th century.

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