Montenegro – Order of Danilo I, For the Independence of Montenegro

Description

The Order was established by Prince Danilo on 23 May 1853 to recognize acts of bravery in the war against Ottoman Turkey of 1852-3. Prince Nicholas I, reorganized the order in 1861 and authorized its award for civil as well as military merit. White and red enamel-edged light blue enamel cross pattée alisée on a princely crown suspension. The face with a deep red enamel circular central medallion bearing the applied crowned cipher of Prince Danilo in gold, circumscribed in gold “ЗА НЕЗАВИСИМОСТЪ ЦРНЕ ГОРЕ” (For the Independence of Montenegro) within a white enamel ring with a scallop-edged silver gilt border.

The reverse with a deep red enamel circular central medallion with the date “1852-3” applied in gold circumscribed in gold “ЗА НЕЗАВИСИМОСТЪ ЦРНЕ ГОРЕ” (For the Independence of Montenegro) within a white enamel ring with a scallop-edged silver gilt border. Hairline cracks to the white enamel and loss of white enamel from the ring of the obverse, also damage on the lower cross arm, on both sides, please look at the pictures.

The producer is a French firm, probably In original case of issue with the text “Chancellerie del´Ordre Danilo” (Chancellery of the Danilo Order) on the inside of the lid. On the outside of the led, the princely coat of arms.

The under part of the case is bent so there is a difficulty closing the case.