Grand Cross Breast Star with chiseled and pierced rays, 87 mm, centre medallion with separately-made "running horse" in silver mounted on bright red enamel ground with green enameled "field" below, pale blue enameled outer circlet with motto "NEC ASPERA TERRENT", within a green enameled laurel wreath, the reverse with vertical, narrow pin (French mark on it and on the catch) and two pins. An early, fine and rare star, from ca. 1840-50 in very fine condition. The Guelphic Order was founded in 1815 by George, Prince Regent, later King George IV and awarded both to British and Hanoverians (and foreign dignitaries) being Hanover under the common rule of the British Sovereign. At the death of George IV, the order was awarded by the King of Hanover from 1837. The order, as a state award ceased its existence when the Kingdom of Hanover was taken by Prussia as a consequence of the 1866 war. I RR!