German Awards - Order of the Zähringen Lion Grand Cross with Oak Leaves

The Grand Cross is the highest class of the Order of the Zöhringen Lion. Attached oak foliage could be added to the order as a particularly honorable characteristic. From 1840 to 1866, the letter - L - (for Leopold) was still applied to the oak leaf. Under Grand Duke Frederick I, the statutes were changed in 1866, and thus the letter L probably also disappeared on the oak leaf. The awarding of oak leaves for the Grand Cross was rarely carried out. Of the 561 large crosses awarded since 1866, only 32 were made with oak leaves. (Source Wikipedia) The order Zäringer Löwen was named 3. House Order of Baden on December 26, 1812, in the name day of the Grand Duchess Stephanie, donated by the Grand Duke Karl Friedrich. The statutes of the order were issued only on June 17, 1840 by the Grand Duke Ludwig. The primary 3 classes, Grand Cross, Commander and Knight, were supplemented by a 2nd class commander. 1st class commanders additionally received a 4-beam breast star. Grand Duke Frederick I in 1866 again changed the statutes, dividing the knights into 1st and 2nd classes. For excellent behavior in front of the enemy, swords were presented for all classes. From 1877 to 1896, the Knights of the Order of Berthold I were led as the upper class. In 1889, the Merit Cross was added. The gold chain of the order has been awarded since 1868 and has been introduced by statute since 1889. At the end of World War I, crosses in silver were also presented for award. Source: Jörg Nemmergut "German Orders and Insignia until 1945," 1997, vol. 1.

A cross made of gold with cross-shaped sleeves expanding outward. Cross sleeves are filled on the front side with green semicircular embossed glass enamel (glass cloth). At the ends, the filling is beveled. The gaps of the cruciform sleeves are filled with gold decorations (braces). The back of the cruciform arms is smooth and golden. Front and back with a gold medallion worn. On the upper cruciform shoulder there is a parallel ear, in which golden oak foliage is suspended. A ribbon passes through the ring of oak foliage.

Front side:

• Round medallion with gold raised border. It's obliquely shaded. Inside is the 2nd smooth edge.
In
• a closed field, a round tower enamels the ruins of the Zähringen family castle.
• The tower is made in red upper and side green foliage. Below is a green bottom with 3 stones.
• Background (sky) in very bright blue.

Downside:

• Round medallion with gold raised border. It's obliquely shaded. Inside is the 2nd smooth edge.
In
• a surrounded field on a red background is a golden, erect lion screaming to the right.

Tape:

• Strap/ribbon of the large cross 101 mm with green edges, side stripes 13 mm golden yellow, central stripes green 71 mm.

.

Obverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Grand Cross with Oak Leaves

Reverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Grand Cross with Oak Leaves

Established:

December 26, 1812 Grand Duke Karl Ludwig Friedrich
June 17, 1840 Grand Duke Leopold

Awarded:

1866 – 1918

Data:

• Material: gold, glass
• Size: 58mm x 87mm, oak foliage 29 x 30mm
• Weight: 57.65g

estimated collector price:

6000 - 6400 € gold 4800 - 5200 € silver gilded

OEK Number:

134