Awards of Germany - Order of Zäringer Löwen Knight's Cross 1. Oak Leaf Class

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. The Knight's Cross 1st Class with Oak Leaves was awarded a total of 1,893 times. Until about 1910, the crosses were still gold, after which they were made of silver with gilding. A notable manufacturer was C. F. Zimmerman of Pforzheim. Knight's Crosses 1. Very few were awarded the class with swords and oak leaves for military merits. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. I, 1997.

A cross made of gold with cross-shaped sleeves expanding outward. 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). The back of the cruciform arms is smooth and golden. Front and back with a gold medallion worn. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a soldered ordinary ear. They hang hollow oak leaves consisting of 3 leaves. A band ring is suspended over the oak foliage.

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.
• On the oak foliage below, the letter - D - for double '(gilded) is squared.

Tape:

• 39 mm with green edges, side stripes of 4 mm golden yellow, central stripes green 28 mm.

Obverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Knight's Cross 1. Oak Leaf Class

Reverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Knight's Cross 1. Oak Leaf Class

Established:

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

Awarded:

1815 – 1918

Data:

• Material: gold, partially enameled
• Size: 39mm, oak foliage 23 x 22mm
• Weight: 20.7g

estimated collector price:

1700 - 1800 € gold 1200 - 1300 € silver

OEK Number:

151