German Awards - Order of the Zähringen Lion Breast Star to the Great Cross with Swords

The order was established by the Grand Duke Karl Friedrich on December 26, 1812, in the name day of his wife Stephanie. In 1815, golden oak foliage with a letter was donated. 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. Swords for military merit for all classes were established in 1866. 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. In 1866 the Knights became in 1st and 2nd Class divided. The Order of Berthold I became independent in 1896. In World War I, the order was also awarded on the ribbon of the Military Order of Karl Friedrich. Beginning in 1917, ribbon linings with the letter - F - were also donated to be worn without the cross of merit. The Grand Cross was awarded with an 8-rayed breast star. The first award took place at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. A large cross with swords was awarded only 65 times. During World War I, there were 41.
The star shown here dates from between 1866 and 1871 and is attributed to the manufacturer Zuber. The stars of World War I were made by Zimmerman. They have no manufacturers.

Eight-pointed silver star. The 8 main rays are elongated. Between the main rays to the center of 5 intermediate rays. The rays are laterally bordered by shorter lines. In the center is a large, silver and enameled medallion. The requirements are golden. 2 crossed gilded swords riveted with a star body pass through the center. The back is smooth and silver with a large round lid. Vertical, pin with hook.

Front side:

• Medallion with a wide white enameled ring. The silver outer margin is twice stepped and sinuous. The diameter of this cross is 40.1 mm.
• Inside is also a raised, sinuous rim 21 mm in diameter.
• The raised gold font placed on the ring:
• - FOR - HONOR - AND - TRUE - below 2 tied, gold burgundy and green enameled laurel branches.
• Laurel branches with 4 red enameled fruits on the right and left each.
• On the red-enameled midfield, the golden lion of Baden is laid, raised, striding to the right.

Downside:

• Smooth and silver, central with a large round lid.
• The diagonal beams show hollow rivets of swords.
• There is one on the needle - Z - as a sign of the manufacturer of the bison.

Obverse: Order of Zäringer Lion breast star to Grand Cross with swords

Reverse: Order of Zäringer Lion breast star to Grand Cross with swords

Established:

December 26, 1812 Grand Duke Karl Friedrich
1866 - Sword Foundation

Awarded:

1866 – 1918

Data:

• Material: silver, gold, enamel
• Size: 86.6 x 87.1mm, swords 77.7 x 3.7mm
• Weight: 62.1g

estimated collector price:

5000 – 5300 €
Early stars bigger

OEK Number:

137