We are offering a jeweler's replica of Commander's cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa. The cross is made according to the items produced in the workshop of Rothe & Neffe, in two variations. First type of the cross is generally like pre 1850 (Barock style loop, the 'star' in the motto placed on the top), and the second type is generally ater 1850 (typical Austrian style of the loop, the 'star' in the motto placed down). Crosses are stamped and enameled with traditional jewelry enamels (not plastic!), montaged and finished by hand. Gilding is also traditional, crosses are plated with 24 Carat gold, not over nickel! Decoration comes with full length of quality moire ribbon.

#MT001 order number - Commander's Cross of Maria Theresa order type 1.

#MT002 order number - Commander's Cross of Maria Theresa order type 2.

The Military Order of Maria Theresa was founded on the 22nd June 1757 by the Empress Maria Theresa to reward especially meritorious and valorous acts by commissioned officers. As the most prestigious and eagerly sought military decoration that the Austro-Hungarian monarchy could bestow, the order was awarded to officers for an outstanding valor and courage shown on the battlefield. Order was established first in two, and since 1765 in three grades: The Grand Cross, the Commander's Cross and lastly the Knight's Cross. The Grand Cross (Grosskreuz) holder was distinguished by a breast order and a shoulder sash on more formal occasions. The Commander's Cross (Komturkreuz, Kreuz der Komture) was a neck decoration and the Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz) could be worn on the left breast suspended by the traditional Austrian triangular ribbon or as was quite usual during the First World War with the ribbon being attached internally to the second button of the tunic and worn suspended in that fashion.

Through a long and rapturous history, a grand total of 61 Grand Crosses, 140 Commander's Crosses and 1039 Knight's Crosses of the Military Maria Theresa Order were bestowed on officers for their service in the many wars and battles that Austria fought during in that times. The badge of the Order was a golden, white-enamelled cross. The central enameled medallion bares the national colors of Austria, and is surrounded by a white ring bearing the motto "Fortitvdini" (For the braves). The medallion on the reverse bares the monogram of the Empress Maria Theresa, surrounded by a green enameled ring with the laurel wreath. the size of the Grand Cross is 50, Commander's Cross is 45, and the Knight's Cross is 30 mm. The star of the Order was a silver faceted cross of the same shape as the badge, with a wreath of green-enamelled laurel leaves between the arms of the cross. The central medallion is composed in the same manner as on the badge. The ribbon of the Order was composed in Austrian national colors - red-white-red. The awards were officially presented at a ceremony known as a "Promotion". These ceremonies had been numbered consecutively since the1st Promotion on the 7th March 1758.

Today, the Military Order of Maria Theresa is for most of collectors one of the world's most popular and desired decoration. Not many of them can loud with an original item as a part of their collections, and if they have one, that is mostly the Knight's Cross. Famous workshop of Rothe & Neffe from Vienna, once Court jewelers and official producers of Maria Theresa Order, produced for many years a beautiful replicas of that Insignia. That Orders are today most popular among collectors, but they are becoming pretty rare and expensive.