Awards of Germany - Order of Zäringer Löwen Knight's Cross 1. Class with swords

The foundation of the 2nd Order of the House was proposed back in 1809 by the hereditary Grand Duke Karl. The actual foundation is indicated by 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 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. 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. Oak foliage could be added to all classes for special merits. Swords crossed through the center were granted for military merits. Crosses with swords on the ring also came to the award ceremony. The 1st class knight's cross with swords was awarded only 718 times.

The cross is gold or silver gilded 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). The back of the cross sleeves is smooth and made of gilded silver. 2 gilded swords are crossed through the center. They are superimposed on the front side of chip jewelry. Front and back with a gold medallion worn. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

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.

Tape:

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Obverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Knight's Cross 1. Class with swords

Reverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Knight's Cross 1. Class with swords

Established:

December 26, 1812 Grand Duke Karl Friedrich
June 17, 1840 Grand Duke Leopold
1866 - Sword Foundation

Awarded:

1802 – 1918

Data:

• Material: silver gilded, partially enamelled
• Size: about 40mm
• Weight: about 19g

estimated collector price:

1300 - 1400 € in gold
1000 - 1100 € silver gilded

OEK Number:

152