German Awards - Order of Zäringer Löwen Commander's Cross with Swords

The commander's cross shown here with silver-gilded swords was awarded in World War I. Commanders of the 1st class were awarded a chest star of 53 pieces for the 2nd class of 107 awards. A notable manufacturer was C. F. Zimmerman of Pforzheim. In total, from 1866 to 1918 256 commanders were awarded swords.
The order was established by the Grand Duke Karl Friedrich on December 26, 1812, in the name day of his wife Stephanie. The statutes of the order were issued only on June 17, 1840 by the Grand Duke Ludwig. The foundation of the 2nd Order of the House was proposed back in 1809 by the hereditary Grand Duke Karl. 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. Oak foliage could be added to all classes for special merits. 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. In 1815, golden oak foliage with a letter was donated. Swords for military merit for all classes were established in 1866. The gold chain of the order has been awarded since 1868 and has been introduced by statute since 1889. In 1896, the knights became in the 1st and 2nd Class divided and the Order of Bertold I now existed independently. The crosses of the upper steps are made of gold. The knight's cross of the 2nd class is made of silver .

A gilt silver cross with outward-flaring cross sleeves. The crosses in front are filled with green semicircular embossed glass enamel. At the ends, the filling is beveled. The gaps of the cross sleeves are filled with gilded decorations (braces). On the front side, gilded swords with paired poles in a floral design are crossed through the center. They are superimposed on the clamps. Behind the swords are smooth and riveted to the brackets. The back of the cruciform arms is smooth and golden. Front and back with a gold medallion worn. On the upper cruciform shoulder, a parallel ear is soldered. An elongated double ribbon ring passes through them.

Front side:

• Round medallion with gold raised border. It's obliquely shaded.
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.
In
• a surrounded field on a red background is a golden, erect lion screaming to the right.
• Red base with translucent hatching.

Tape:

Obverse: Order of Zäringer Löwen Commander's Cross with Swords

Reverse: Order of Zäringer Löwen Commander's Cross with Swords

Established:

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

Awarded:

1866 – 1918

Data:

• Material: silver gilded, partially enamelled
• Size: 49mm, swords 59mm x 3mm
• Weight: about 29g

estimated collector price:

3100 - 3300 € silver gilded
4300 - 4500 € in gold

OEK Number:

144