Netherlands Dutch Order of Willem star 1816

[JBFloyd]

Here's a remarkable piece of history -- a British-made breast star of a knight commander of the Dutch Order of Willem (94x66mm, including the crown). With hallmarks and a date-letter for 1816. Since the order was only created in 1815, this would be one of the first awarded.

The roll in G.C.E. Koffler’s book, “De Militaire Willemsorde 1815-1940" shows only three British officers receiving the Knight Commander grade of the Willem Order prior to 1825: General Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesley (1815); General Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill (1815); and Admiral Sir David Milne (1816).

[erikscollectables]

Dear Jeff,

This is a superb piece. Is it in private hands?

I run a small website on the Military Order of William (in Dutch I am afraid) - can I use these photo's for that website (www.mwo.6x.to)?

Officially the breast star was an embroidered piece of cloth. The neckribbon would have had a gold cross.

Most recipients had the means to have a gold breast star made and did so and as these tended to survive better they are the only ones you see. Even the King had examples made in metal to be handed out by himself as he did not seem to see it fit to hand out embroidered crosses to high ranking officials outside of the Netherlands.

Best regards, Erik Naberhuis

Edited September 4, 2011 by erikscollectables