German Awards - Order of Albrecht Bear Grand Cross

The Grand Cross is the highest class of the Order of the House. The Grand Cross also included an eight-pointed breast star. It features silver rays and an enameled silver medallion. A large cross was awarded to Anhaltans and foreigners. The motto of the order was "Fear God and do his orders." The Grand Master of the Order was, respectively, the Duke, Heinrich Anhalt-Kötensky in 1836-1847, Leopold IV. von Anhalt-Dessau in 1847-1871, Frederick I in 1871-1904 and Frederick II. from 1904-1918
The order was established by the Dukes Henry of Anhalt-Kötensky (1830-1847), Leopold Friedrich of Anhalt-Dessau (1817-1871) and Alexander Karl of Anhalt-Bernburg (1834-1863). As it was said, the order was awarded for loyalty and devotion, talents and legitimate official activities. The classes of the order were originally: a large cross, commander, knight, gold and silver medals for merit. Effective March 18, 1848, commanders were assigned to the 1st Class with a star and 2. Class without stellar division. On February 8, 1854, the following unit took place. Knights became Knights 1. Class in Gold and Knights 2. The class is divided into silver. Until 1863, the possibility of awarding non-Christians was excluded. On July 18, 1864, swords were added to them for their merits in the war. They are installed between the support ring and the eye of the medal. In 1901, the crown was presented to the Grand Crosses, Commanders and Knights. August 19, 1904 was awarded for special merits by Duke Frederick II. Crown for medals of merit. It is made of silver or gilded metal and measures 12mm. The differences between the stamp are a slimmer bear and a slimmer font. Large crosses are common, status, made in gilded bronze. Several examples were made of gold. Silver-gilded specimens are not considered official. The circulation is about 450 pieces. Since the returned badges of the order were re-awarded, it is estimated that about 300 copies were made. Источник: Gerd Scharfenberg, Die Orden und Ehrenzeichen der Anhaltischen Staaten 1811-1935, 1999., Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen до 1945, Bd.1

Oval, openwork medal made of gilded bronze with a wide edging. The font and raised edges are polished. On top is a soldered parallel eye with a double elongated ring of tape.

Front side:

• On a wide ring: - FEARS - GOD - AND - FOLLOW - HIS - COMMANDS -
In
• a surrounded field, a wall rising obliquely to the right up with 3 teeth and a gate.
• On the teeth of a bear running to the right with a crown and a collar.
• From above in the center, the small state emblem is also the generic emblem of the Ascans.

Downside:

• On a wide ring: - ALBRECHT - DER - BAER - REG. - 1123 - DO - 1170 -
In
• a surrounded field, a wall rising obliquely to the left up with 3 teeth and a gate.
• On the teeth of a bear running to the left with a crown and a collar.
• Above in the center is the coat of arms of the county of Aschersleben (Ascania).

Tape:

• Width 103 mm dark green, side strips 17 mm dark red