Pour le Mérite (Blue Max)

The item is a Pour le Mérite, often referred to as the 'Blue Max,' a prestigious Prussian military order. It is a cross pattée, primarily characterized by its striking royal blue enamel on all four arms. The edges of the crosses appear to be bordered in a dark, possibly gold-toned, metal. In the spaces between the arms of the cross, there are intricate gold-colored laurel wreaths, which are a characteristic feature of this decoration. The reverse side of the medal is not visible, but typically features the intertwined cypher 'F' for King Frederick II of Prussia. On the visible face of the cross, in the central horizontal arm, the words 'Pour le Mé.' are inscribed in gold lettering, and on the vertical arm, 'rite' is visible. The top arm of the cross features a crowned 'F' (likely for Frederick the Great). The overall size appears to be consistent with known examples of the decoration, likely a few centimeters in diameter. The metal components show some signs of age and handling, with a slight patina and possibly minor wear to the gold-toned finish. The blue enamel appears largely intact, though a precise assessment for chips or cracks would require closer inspection. A metal loop is attached to the top arm for suspension, and a simple white string or cord is threaded through this loop, suggesting it might be either a display piece or awaiting a proper ribbon. The craftsmanship appears to be of high quality, indicative of a period military honor. Based on its design, it belongs to the period of the Prussian Kingdom, most notably during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, prior to the end of WWI.

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