Der Nachlass Leonrod

20 | Clemens Wenzeslaus Freiherr von Thünefeld und Ursensollen – A Commander’s Breast Star of the Order of St George, 1822, in the presentation case The extremely early breast star wrought in silver, in the large, non-faceted issue (de facto the same size as the Grand Commander) with spherical finials. The cross armbezels grooved, the medallion section and the lozenge field made of polished silver. The translucent red enamel cross of St. George and the separately appliquéd, blue enamel cross arms wrought in gold. The back with a double attachment/fork pin and the first documented “Führerpunze” (or primary assayer’s mark) on an order deco- ration, in the shape of a monk (subsequently idealised as the Münchner Kindl symbol), the official figure on Munich’s coat of arms as the hallmark of the Munich silversmith guild and the (somewhat mis-struck) master’s mark “GM” for Gottfried I Merck (1786 – 1825), court jeweller as of circa 1820, who was second- ary assayer as a goldsmith in 1822 (seeMatthias Klein, DasMünchener Goldschmiedegewerbe, 1992). Width 80 mm, weight 54.8 g. A small chip in the base of the upper cross arm, in the red presen­ tation case. One of the earliest order stars made of metal, this particular breast star is of exceptional phaleristic significance owing to its prove- nance and hallmarks. A Knight’s star of com- parable design is illustrated and described by Klenau 2008 under number 942. The metal stars dating from this award period are private- ly acquired order decorations, as embroidered stars only were issued by the Order at the time. The orders belonging to Freiherr von Thünefeld were transferred to Clara Freiin von Leonrod along with Schmiechen castle in 1937, becoming part of the family estate. The castle had previ- ously belonged to the Freiherren von Thünefeld since 1814. On 19 April 1812, privy councillor Klemens Wenzeslaus Freiherr von Thünefeld was the 249th Knight to be admitted to the Order of St. George. He was promoted to Commander on 21 August 1816 and died on 14 August 1854. 247746 II - € 5.500