Neck Decoration from the late 19th Century, 54X51 mm, GOLD and blue enamel, with separately made crowns and centre medallion with the finely chiselled Prussian eagle, the Royal monograms and the motto, with finest chiselwork, oval ring and original, black and white/silver neck ribbon, together, the original, black morocco case of issue with fitted, inner compartment. A piece most probably made by the court jewellers Hossauer, in the best quality and with fine patina and in extremely fine condition. The “civil” class of the Pour le Mérite was instituted by the King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm IV in 1842, after the proposal of Alexander von Humboldt and became one of the most prestigious and exclusive awards for merits in the field of Sciences and Arts. The order, as a foundation. exists also now. The pieces before 1918 and especially those from the 19th Century, are most rare. I RR!
Provenance: the estate of Jean Baptiste André Dumas (14 July 1800 – 10 April 1884): a French chemist, best known for his works on organic analysis and synthesis, as well as the determination of atomic weights (relative atomic masses) and molecular weights by measuring vapordensities. He also developed a method for the analysis of nitrogen in compounds. He was member of various academies and scientific societies; in 1875, he became member of the Académie Française. He also was a politician, being Senator, then Minister of Agriculture and Commerce (1850–1851). Professor Dumas received the Pour le Mérite for Arts and Sciences in 1855.