Princess Bathildis of Waldeck and Pyrmont instituted a medal for female servants on 15 January 1896. This was preceded by numerous requests to the Waldeck Land Directorate for the rewarding of old, loyal servants. Women who served the same commander faithfully and impeccably for at least 25 years were awarded. From 1887 to 1903, only a silver medal was awarded on the ribbon, equal in design to the brooch shown here. In the medal there is no princely hat dissolved above. There are no documents on awards before 1903. Since 1903, instead of a medal, a brooch began to be awarded. She was now in 2 tiers, for 40 years of service gilded with silver and granted silver for 25 years. The award was to be requested from the land council. To do this, it was necessary to attach the rationale, resume and opinion of the local clergyman. The petition was filed for the decision of Princess Bathildis. Delivery took place using a certificate. The author of the draft document is G. W. Bermüller from Leipzig. They were printed by E. Grumnek in Arolsen. Brooches were issued extremely rarely. Records are incomplete. Only 10 applications were considered. In the same way, it is difficult to accurately distinguish between brooches for 25 and 40 years, because there is no number on the inscription and subsequent gilding cannot be ruled out. In general, brooches are extremely rare and, accordingly, expensive. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. III, 1999.
A round silver brooch with a raised, smooth, inwardly graduated edge. On the obverse, at the top along the edge, a princely hat is worn. On the back is a horizontal pin with reciprocal hooks. The pointed needle extends beyond the edge of the brooch.
Front side:
Downside:
Brooch for female servants for 25 years
Reverse: 25-year-old female servant brooch
Awards of World War II