Awards of Germany - Order of the Württemberg Crown of the Grand Cross

The Grand Cross was the highest class of the Order of the Württemberg Crown. A breast star was also awarded. The sons of the king received the Grand Cross at 7 years old, the princes of the royal house at 14. Since 1864, members of the royal house and other ruling houses received a separate chest star, on which the medallion bottom is enameled in black. The color of the ribbon became scarlet instead of the previously crimson. Notable suppliers were F. Steinam and E. Foehr of Stuttgart. There are differences in the design and arrangement of lions between the cross sleeves. They are more or less leopard-like in construction and can be arranged circumferentially or, as here, up and down. Cultivators with whom the crown is associated can also be arranged in different ways.
The Order of the Württemberg Crown was established by King William I on September 23, 1818. To this end, the Order of the Golden Eagle (1807) and the Civil Order of Merit (1806) were replaced by a new order. Initially, the order had 3 classes: a large cross, a komtur and a knight. It was accompanied by a gold and silver medal for merit. Bearers were required to wear the order in their own name and coat of arms. Bourgeois carriers were elevated to personal nobility. Only the king himself could determine the inclusion in the order. Since its expansion in 1889, the order consisted of 5 classes. The new classes were the Grand Cross, the Komtursky Cross with a breast star, the Komtursky Cross, the Honorary Knight's Cross and the Knight's Cross. Received awards with swords, for military merits, were allowed to continue wearing from 1890 even when receiving the highest class. Since 1913, the award was no longer associated with personal nobility .

Eight-pointed cross made of gold. The cruciform arms are maroon golden and enameled white. Between the cross sleeves are golden, leopard-shaped lions, 2 up and 2 down. Front and back round, separately superimposed, gold, enameled medallions. Between the tops of the upper cruciform shoulder there is an agraff, consisting of 2 ends of the ribbon, to which the golden royal crown is movably connected. A ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple.

Front side:

• Central shield with a wide, red, translucent enameled ring.
• This one, with gold edges inside and out, is webbed.
• On it is a golden inscription: - Fearless - and - trew - below a wavy ornamental touch.
• The enclosed field is enameled in white. Hung a decorated, crowned letter - F -..

Downside:

• Central shield with a wide, red, translucent enameled ring.
• This one, with gold edges inside and out, is webbed.
• On it is a golden inscription: - Fearless - and - trew - below a wavy ornamental touch.
• The included midfield is enamelled in white. Laying down a large gold royal crown.

Tape:

dark red 98 mm wide, edging 2 mm, black side stripes 3 mm (princes 4 mm).

The photos were taken with the support of Nagel auction house, Stuttgart .