Portugal, Kingdom. A Military Order of Christ with Miniature. visually-hidden surrounded by the inscription "WIENERFREIWILLIGE

surrounded by the inscription "WIENERFREIWILLIGE RETTUNGS CESELLSCHAFT" (Vienna Volunteer Rescue Society) and "IX

after the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937

3 mm (w) x 48 mm (h) inclusive of its wreath suspension

interior pages present very mild discolouration

The bolster acts as a narrow crossguard and houses a ferrule (wraparound band) that bears the Croatian interlace

Portugal, Kingdom. A Military Order of Christ with Miniature. visually-hidden surrounded by the inscription "WIENERFREIWILLIGE(Ordem dos Cavaleiros de Cristo). Instituted in 1318. In silver gilt and enamels, 67. 6 mm (h) x 43. 2 mm (w), enamel chipping on reverse, very fine. Accompanied by a miniature in silver gilt and enamels, 40. 7 mm (h) x 26 mm (w), extremely fine. Footnote: The Military Order of Christ has a long and convoluted history closely related to Portugal and the Catholic Church. Its origins lie on the dissolution of the Templar Order by Pope Clement V in 1312,