Miniature brass cross pattée with rays between the arms on integral royal crown suspension; the face with a central medallion with the figure ‘16’ surmounted by the monogram ‘C IX’ for King Christian IX; the reverse plain; height 22.9mm (0.9 inch), width 13.73mm (0.54 inch); on original ribbon mounted for wear in the Danish style. Denmark’s faithful service decorations were reformed in 1854 and are awarded for eight years’ service and sixteen years’ service. Recipients of a sixteen-years’ award are required to return the eight-year award. King Christian IX reigned from 15 November 1863 to 29 January 1906. The King’s reign was dogged by the unsuccessful war with Prussia over Schleswig-Holstein in 1864 and his early resistance to democratic change, though he did eventually bow to a more representative constitution. He is perhaps best remembered as ‘the father-in-law of Europe’, his children becoming respectively King of Denmark, King Greece, Queen Consort of Great Britain, Tsarina of Russia, Duchess of Cumberland and husband of Princess Marie of Orleans-Bourbon. The decoration, particularly from this early period, is rarely found in miniature.
|