Badge of the Order of reduced size, 25x20 mm, GOLD, night-blue enameled cross of Maltese type, flanked by chiseled, golden beams, centre medallion bearing crowned lion rampant on black enameled ground, white enameled outer circlet bearing the golden inscription “MERENTI”, reverse medallion with ornated, crowned monogram “CT” (of Carl Theodor, Prince Elector of Bavaria), within white enameled outer circlet bearing golden inscription “INSTITU. AN. 1768”, suspension loop chiseled as stylized acanthus leaves, grooved, round ribbon ring, original ribbon.
An extremely rare badge of this early, Bavarian order, awarded in one class only, for exceptional merits, both civil and military, exceptional quality and condition. I RR!
A piece that can be dated to the institution of the Order in 1768. Provenance: from the estate of General César Gabriel de Berluy, count Berthier (1765 – 1819), brother of the more famous Marshal of France, began his career as an officer during the Ancien Régime in 1782, later entered in the topographic bureau of the Army in 1796, chief of staff of Murat during the 1800 campaign, then promoted to Brigadier General and of Division in 1806, chief of staff of Joseph Napoleon in Naples, in 1807, commanded the expedition corps to Corfu and the Ionian islands, becoming the governor of that territory until 1808, transferred to command the 27th division in Turin, in 1811 received the command of the 23rd division in Corsica, after the fall of Napoleon, he was reintegrated in his ranks, being appointed as inspector general of the infantry. He died by an accident on August 17th, 1819 at the castle of Grosbois.