Royal Issue Officer Grade with Swords, Marked Kretly
Key Information:
• Country: Kingdom of Romania
• Order: Order of the Star of Romania
• Class: Officer Cross with Swords
• Reign: King Ferdinand I, 1914–1927
• Period: World War I era, circa 1916–1927
• Dimensions: approx. 70.09 mm including crown suspension x 43.08 mm width
• Material: Silvered metal with blue, red and green enamel
• Device: Crossed swords
• Maker: Joseph Kretly, Bucharest, marked on suspension ring
• Ribbon: Original ribbon with officer rosette
Medal Design:
Blue enameled cross set over radiating silver rays, surmounted by a royal crown and crossed swords.
Obverse:
Center displays the Romanian royal eagle within a red enamel medallion, surrounded by a green laurel wreath.
Surrounding inscription on the blue enamel:
“IN FIDE SALUS”
Translated: “In Faith is Salvation”
Reverse:
Central red enamel medallion displays the royal monogram of King Ferdinand I, surrounded by a green laurel wreath.
The crossed swords indicate a wartime award.
The officer class is distinguished by the rosette on the ribbon.
The suspension ring bears the maker’s mark of Joseph Kretly, Bucharest, one of the principal Romanian manufacturers of royal decorations during the early 20th century.
Condition:
• Damage to blue enamel on the lower arm of the reverse
• Light surface wear consistent with age
• Natural patina throughout
• Crown and swords intact
• Ribbon with officer rosette present
• For condition, please refer to the pictures, all dimensions are approx.
Historical and Collectible Significance:
The Order of the Star of Romania was one of the highest decorations of the Kingdom of Romania. During the reign of King Ferdinand I, the order was frequently awarded for military merit during World War I and the formation of Greater Romania.
Officer grade examples with swords represent wartime awards and are particularly desirable among collectors of Romanian and Balkan royal orders. Decorations produced by Joseph Kretly of Bucharest are documented period pieces and well regarded within the field of European orders and decorations.
Summary:
An original World War I era Royal Order of the Star of Romania, Officer Cross with Swords, issued during the reign of King Ferdinand I and produced by Joseph Kretly of Bucharest. A solid and collectible royal Romanian wartime decoration with original officer rosette.