Awards Germany - Order of Heinrich Leo Breast Star 1st Class

Johann Albrecht Duke of Mecklenburg, as regent of the Duchy of Braunschweig, expanded the Order of Heinrich Leo on April 25, 1908, the birthday of Duke William. Among the extensive extensions was also the foundation of the 1st Class, which occupies the space between the Grand Cross and Commander 1st Class, making it the second largest class. The 1st grade consisted of a blue enameled order cross, worn in the form of neck orders, and a chest star depicted here. At the same time, the Officers' Cross 4th Class, Oval Medal were donated for art and science, and the Silver Medal was extended by 2nd Class in bronze. All classes could also be awarded swords.
The Order of Henry the Lion was established by Duke William on April 25, 1834. The predecessors of the order date back to 1731. They already feature typical insignia such as a white horse and peacock feathers. Initially, the order consisted of a large cross, the commander of the 1st and 2nd. Class and Knights, and the Merit Cross in Grade 2. Swords were donated to all classes in 1870. By decree of March 8, 1877, the order was expanded to a knight of the 2nd class. In 1903, under the regent Prince Albrecht of Prussia, a silver medal was added to the order.
The 1st class cross was awarded 120 times. The chest stars were made by Hermann Jürgens, a court goldsmith, or F. Siebrecht, a court goldsmith, both from Braunschweig.

An eight-pointed chest star made of silver with a gold enameled medallion worn. The stellar body consists of 8 main rays. Between them, 7 intermediate rays are graduated to the center. The back side with a large round cover and a worn round shield with the manufacturer's designation. Vertically - a pin with a reciprocal hook.

Front side:

• A medallion with a wide blue enameled ring with raised gold edges.
• Hangs in raised gold letters on the left - IMMOTA -, on the right - FIDES -
• Down on the ring is a white, red, gold Braunschweig helmet with a gold crown.
• On top of the ring is a gold crown with gold, green, blue peacock feather jewelry (helmet jewelry).
• The enclosed midfield is translucent red enamelled with a ray wreath.
• It has an image of a white column with a white, Hanoverian horse galloping to the left.
On
• the sides are white enameled sickles, wide and pointed upward from below.

Downside:

• In the center on a round covering plate is a small round shield with a raised edge.
• On it, on a fine-grained substrate, the font increases:
• Curved at the top along the edge - F. SIEBRECHT -, curved at the bottom along the edge - BRAUNSCHWEIG -.
• They are separated by six-pointed stars on the left and right.
In the
• center in 2 lines - HOF-/- JEWELER - a decorative touch at the bottom.
• Vertically - a pin with a reciprocal hook.

Obverse: Order of Henry the Lion Breast Star 1st Class

Reverse: Order of Henry the Lion Breast Star 1st Class

Established:

April 25, 1834 by Duke William
April 25, 1908 the foundation of the 1st class

Awarded:

1908 – 1918

Data:

• Material: silver, gold, enamel
• Size: 83mm, 33mm medallion
• Weight: about 69g

estimated collector price:

2100 – 2300 €

OEK Number:

580