German Awards - Order of Louise 1st Division 1st. Form

The cross of the Order of Louise presented here is the 1st form of the 1st department and was granted in this design between 1814 and 1858. Early crosses of the 1st department differ from crosses as of 1864 in a mostly smooth medallion border. Other differences include drawing - L - obverse and inverse numbers of the year. These crosses were awarded for services in connection with the liberation wars. The number of order ladies at that time was limited to 100. Rewarding the king with his own hand was not among the 100. The Order of Louise was established on August 3, 1814 as a women's order by Frederick William III. Established to award merit for the good of the Fatherland during the uprising against Napoleon. This gave high praise to care assistance, casualty care and other benefits in support of the fighting men. The design of the cross was created by Friedrich Schinkel from a sketch of the king. The seven stars in the front medallion symbolize the seven living children from his marriage to Louise. A special uniform with the Red Cross was awarded to Crown Princess Sofia Grecheskaya only 1 time. In 1850, King William IV resumed. order for 1848/49. Only 2 awards are also known here. King William I, in turn, extended the order for 1864 and, finally, in 1865 expanded the order by 2 departments. Compartment 2., Made of silver. 1st class with black enameled cruciform levers and 2nd class without enameled cruciform levers. For the assignment of the 1st class of the 2nd department since 1890, the previous possession of the 2nd class was a prerequisite. When assigned the highest class, the 2nd class was subject to return. In 1901, the Grand Cross with a Star was presented to the Empress and Queen Auguste Victoria. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. II, 1997.

Gold cross with black enameled cross sleeves and gold border. Front and back with a round middle shield worn. On the upper cruciform shoulder there is a transversely standing ear with an elongated ring of tape. A female loop was attached through it.

Front side:

In
• smooth, golden-trimmed central shield, on a blue enameled background, ornamented, golden letter - L -.
• It is surrounded by 7 gold stars with 6 rays.

Downside:

In
• smooth, golden-set central shield on a blue enameled background indicates acquisition dates.
• Here the year - 1813-1814 - is separated by a horizontal stitch with a point.

Ribbon: white 35 mm wide, white edges 2 mm, black edge stripes 7 mm.

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