Miniature Pour le Merite-Instituted in 1740 by Friedrich II. A blue-enameled bronze gilt Maltese cross with gilded eagles in between each cross arm, the obverse shows the crown and cypher F for Friedrich on the top cross arm, the name Pour le Mérite (For Merit) reads across the left arm to the right and ending on the bottom arm, the reverse presents blue-enamelled cross arms and eagles between each quadrant, no maker marks. There is a loop through a ring at the top. The cross is very small, measuring just 15mm across and 16mm high. There is a storage case that is non period, included for free. An interesting item!