Obverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Grand Cross with Oak Leaves
Reverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Grand Cross with Oak Leaves
June 17, 1840 Grand Duke Leopold
- Material: gold, glass
- Size: 58mm x 87mm, oak foliage 29 x 30mm
- Weight: 57.65g
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.
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Obverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Grand Cross with Oak Leaves
Reverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Grand Cross with Oak Leaves