Orders of Saint Stanislaus made by Vincenz Mayer’s Söhne, Wien

Founded in 1810 this firm made all the Imperial Austrian Orders, along with some smaller pieces such as the Marianna Cross and Red Cross decorations. They also made insignias for various countries, such as Russia, Greece, Romania and Serbia. The stars often had a large circular plaque on the reverse with the name and an imperial Austrian eagle. The badges and the stars are often marked with "V.M" often on more than one location of the piece. After the death of Vincenz Mayer in 1865, his three sons, Vincenz, Joseph and Franz successfully took over the business. Their mark can often be identified as a “VMS” which is usually framed. Their products were of such high quality, there were appointed K.u.K. (royal and imperial) court jewellers and later chamber jewellers to the Emperor and Empress. The address was Stock-in-Eisen-Platz 7 in the first district of the inner city of Vienna.

Due to the economic crisis following the First World War, V. Mayer's Söhne closed in 1922.
​

Diamond-cut breast star.

Silver, gilding, gold, enamel.
Size 87×85.2 mm.
Weight 61.64 g.

Unmarked.

Same breast under a different light.

 

Diamond-cut breast star with swords.

Silver, gilding, gold, enamel.
Size 86 mm.

In the center of reverse "Vincenz Mayer’s Söhne, Wien".

Base of the breast star marked with an import silver hallmark of the Vienna assay office from the 1872-1902 time period. Such marking may indicate that Vincenz Mayer’s Söhne was only a reseller of these breast stars which were produced by an unidentified workshop /most likely a French one/.

 

Same breast star under a different light.

 

Breast star variation with a plain rays.

Silver, gold, gilt, enamel.
Size 79 mm.
Weight 58 g.

Unmarked.