Knight’s Cross of the Order, 31,12x27,94 mm, GOLD and enamels, 18,2 g. (including suspension); the obverse centre medallion made of two separate parts, with finest chisel-work under the translucent, bright red enamel, downwardly running Order’s motto “FORTITVDINI” (as on the earliest badges) linked by a six-pointed asterisk, the reverse medallion with golden monogram on a white field within the green enameled outer circlet, finely chiselled with laurel leaves (some loss to the green enamel), both medallions, fixed to the cross by means of thin pins passing through the centre body, typical, lobed upper loop, with engraved border and oval, closed suspension ring with central groove, long and originally sewn ribbon.
Provenance: The estate of the heirs of Col. Karl von Kopal, then two different gentlemen collectors from
Czechoslowakia, then H.D. Rauch Auction, Vienna, October 4th, 2013, lot 141.
An outstandingly rare, undisputedly original decoration of this highest military order, of a type dating from the Napoleonic wars, with an interesting history: the piece appeared in 1968 from a family estate in Czechoslovakia when a local collector acquired it. In 1969, the Czech phalerist Josef Kounovsky´ published it in the famous quarterly “DrobnáPlastiká” giving full details about its provenance, being the family of Colonel Karl von Kopal, a hero of the 1848-49 campaign in Italy, severely wounded on June 10th, 1848 when at the head of his 10th Feldjaeger bataillon assaulted the enemy positions of Monte Berico near Vicenza, dying on the following 17th, exceptionally, the Austrian Emperor awarded the Knight’s Cross posthumously to the memory of the officer fallen on the field of honour, this decoration, passed in 1979 to another collector in Czechoslovakia, until the above mentioned auction, where a detailed description of the history of this cross is also given.
Also here, it is most interesting to note that a posthumous award couldn’t take place with the actual award of the Order’s decoration, besides the bestowal of the award document to the heirs, due to the strictly observed, statutorily prescribed restitution of the insignia at the knight’s death.
We know very few cases where the decorations of the Military Maria Theresia Order remained in the hands of their awardees, mentioning for instance the Knight’s Crosses awarded in 1801 to the 8 officers of the British 15th Light Dragoons who distinguished themselves with greatest gallantry at the Battle of Villiers-en-Couché near Cambrai on April 24th 1794, when they nearly saved the Emperor’s life.
In this case, we are allowed to hypothesis only, whether the cross could have been handed by the young Emperor Franz Joseph to von Kopal’s heirs as a token of gratitude, or given to them by another Knight, or privately purchased or obtained from the Order’s chapter, to be put together with the other memories of the fallen hero.
Another Knight’s Cross of identical manufacture, although more damaged, belonged to Maximillian Gf. Baillet de Latour (created Knight at the 23rd “Promotion” of December 19th 1790; and later Commander and Grand Cross resp. in 1794 and 1796), is published and illustrated in J. Stolzer, Chr. Steeb et Al.: “Barock – Blütezeit der europäischen Ritterorden” (Baroque – the flourishing era of Chivalric Orders), page 116 nr. 2.8. An extemely rare cross, of historical interest! I RR!