ROMANIA ORDER OF THE STAR OF ROMANIA (1877) Set of grand-cross of the 1st type, luxurious French manufacture including : - Important hollow gold and enamel jewel (chips to the legend on the obverse). Mercury's head hallmark, for small works for export (before 1879), and traces of goldsmith's hallmark with crossed sticks (probably Kretly). 110 x 71 mm. Gross weight : 48 g. Marked B to T.B. - Plate. In silver worked with diamond points, pierced. Central cross in enamelled gold (small defects, chips and restorations). Reverse side with rocking pin and two hooks, with manufacturer's mark " N°46 KRETLY PALAIS ROYAL PARIS " Diam : 84 mm Gross weight : 60 g T.T.B. (Blow to a point), circa 1877. History: Gold badges of the Order of the Star of Romania of Kretly manufacture are particularly rare. They correspond either to the first order of the insignia of the Order of the Star (made to Kretly in 1877), but more likely to the order made for the short-lived Order of the Union which preceded the Order of the Star (and which had gold insignia as here) and subsequently modified. The trigger guard of the jewel corresponds to that of the Order of the Union. We thank Mr Jean Luc GUITERA for his help.