Jewel of the Order of the Golden Fleece (Spinel garnish). Dinglingerhaus, workshop of Johann Melchior (jeweler), Dresden, 1722. Three great spinels, 70 diamonds, gold, enamel, silver gilt, 17.9 x 9.5 cm. VIII 122. Green Vault © Dresden State Art Collections 2013

The jewels of secular knights made from the most exclusive jewelry princely clothes. One of the oldest and most respected, the Order of the Golden Fleece, was exclusively Catholic princes reserved.Founded in 1430 by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, the toison d'or has been since the early 16th Century to the highest honors of the house of Habsburg, the dignity of the Sovereign Order had fallen to the Burgundian inheritance. The religious character of each knight had to be returned after the death of the religious office. When the Ordensinsignie served a golden jewel in the shape of a ram's coat that was worn on the Order chain around his neck. Collar of the chain or consisted of iron and fire flaming fire stones. The symbols are derived from the Argonauts ago, which tells of the conquest of the famous golden fleece by a group of fearless heroes. August the Strong was since 1697, introduced the year of his election as the second king of Wettin, Duke George to the list of knights. In fact, it was not until 1722 at the same time with his son Frederick Augustus II the insignia of the Order on behalf of the Emperor Charles VI. presented. The emperor granted the Saxon Majesties the privilege to be Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, and at the same time to project their own Polish White Eagle Order. The gem of the Golden Fleece, the ruby set was one of the first of many jeweled treasures, of which eleven are still in the Green Vault. The Order is attributed to Johann Melchior Dinglingerhaus who had three unusually large Balasrubine used in the main components. This triad of outstanding principal stones became the ideal of a magnificent fleece Order. Seventy medium sized diamonds also contribute to the coveted Badge of the Order of the Catholic world radiates a great treasure.