The Star of the Grand Cross – The Blucher Star (Blucherstern).  This is a magnificent example of the Award instituted in June 1815 and granted exclusively to Marshal Blucher after victory at the Battle of La Belle Alliance, more usually known as The Battle of Waterloo.  During the 1860’s and 1870’s, a very limited number of Stars were created by fine jewelers for display in German museums and the exceptional workmanship and general condition of this one indicates a piece of this period.  The eight-pointed sunburst star is 85mm wide between points, of gold plated silver, the reverse with hinged Court pin.  On the face, the Iron Cross paty is superimposed, placed in the centre.  Within the edges of the raised silver cross, there is a patina of oxidation from the inner iron core.  (For further reference see Die Eiserne Zeit, by Kendall Witt, Napoleonic Alliance Gazette, Volume No. 1, 2003).