German Awards - Order of the Zähringen Lion Grand Cross with Swords

The great cross with swords is the highest class of the order, awarded for excellent behavior in front of the enemy. The cross also includes a breast star with corresponding swords crossed behind the medallion. The Grand Cross with Swords was awarded only 65 times, of which 41 awards were made during World War I. The Order of the Zähringen Lion was named the 3rd. 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. The cruciform shoulders are filled in front with a green semicircular raised glass stream. 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 front side, golden swords are crossed through the center. Paired stems in the form of flowers and leaves. On the upper cruciform shoulder there is a parallel ear with an elongated belt ring.

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.

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Obverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Grand Cross with Swords

Reverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Grand Cross with Swords

Established:

December 26, 1812 Grand Duke Karl Ludwig Friedrich
1866 - Founding of swords by Grand Duke Frederick I.

Awarded:

1866 – 1918

Data:

• Material: gold, glass
• Size: 59mm, swords 75mm x 4mm
• Weight: 53.3g

estimated collector price:

7000 - 7300 € gold 4800 - 5200 € silver with gilding

OEK Number:

136