German Awards - Badge of Honour for Midwives

This badge of honor, as in many other countries, was established on January 1, 1906 by Duke Frederick II. donated by Anhalt. In Anhalt, midwives were feted as they plied their trade for 30 years without charge. Awarding was made at the request of the relevant local or district police department. He filed an application with the Ministry of State. The authorship of the project could not be established. The first crosses were made of gold. Later, during World War I, the production was covered with silver. Gold crosses are about 1 mm smaller and lighter. The presentation included a certificate of award. Duchess Mary was responsible for honoring and signed the letter. The badge of honor was not refundable after the death of the loaned. The exception was the lack of offspring. The first award took place on January 29, 1906. The first 6 midwives were awarded. In the first year, 45 awards were received. In the coming years, there will be only 2-5. In total, from 1906 to 1918, only 87 honorary badges were awarded to midwives. Source: Gerd Scharfenberg, Order and Badge of Honor of the Anhalt States, 1999.

Hollow working (Latin) cross with straight cruciform sleeves. Lower transverse lever is elongated. On the upper cruciform shoulder, a golden 5-beam ducal crown is movably attached using a hinge. On the back of the crown there is a perpendicularly soldered elongated jumper for stretching the tape.

Front side:

• On a smooth base is engraved the inscription of the purpose:
• On the upper cross shoulder, right above the center of the cross, - ZA -.
• Distributed on horizontal transverse levers - FIDELITY - IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROFESSION -.

Downside:

• Crosses are smooth without font.
• On top of the head is a vertically soldered bridge.

Tape:

Green narrow velvet collar. approx. 13 mm

Photo: Private collection of Maximilian Ferdinand Leopold Prince of Anhalt

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