Awards Germany - Order of St George - Breast Star

The Order of St. George was established as the Order of the Kingdom of Hanover on April 23, 1839 by King Ernst Augustus. The reason for this foundation was the completed personal union of the royal houses of Great Britain and Hanover. The order was established in only one class. He was awarded for distinguished service to the Kingdom of Hanover and as a mark of special royal grace. The motto of the order is "Nunquam retrorsum" ("Never come back"). The Grand Master of the Order was the King himself. The terms of the award provided, among other things, that only noble persons who were at least in the rank of lieutenant general would be awarded. With the exception of notables such as the king's sons and brothers, the order could only be awarded after the age of 30. The number of knights was to be limited to 16, not counting the knights of the royal house. The Knights of the Order of St George were also Knights Grand Cross of the Guelph Order. The practice of awarding until 1866 showed that in addition to royal highnesses, highnesses and majesties, only a few other persons became knights of the order. These included Count Karl von Alten, Prince Sayn-Wittgenstein, Prince Metternich, Count Radetzky, Prince Windisch-Grätz and Prince Bentheim. After 1866, 4 more people were admitted to the knighthood. After the annexation by Prussia, further wearing of the order was allowed. In 1903, the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg was the last to receive a knighthood. Among the order insignia, in addition to the order cross for dressing, was a breast star. It was embroidered until 1860, after which metal stars with smooth or shiny rays were made. Notable manufacturers include Hofjuwelier Hossauer, Berlin, Hofjuwelier Carl Zell, Hannover and Carl Büsch, Hannover. Very few insignia survive. Crosses and pectoral stars vary in size and weight. The number of awards before 1866 is listed as 78. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 1, 1999.

Eight-pointed diamond star in silver. There are 5 graduated intermediate beams between 8 main beams. In the center is a large round medallion. The back is smooth and silvery with a round covering plate in the middle. Vertically - a pin with a reciprocal hook.

Front side:

• The middle medallion has a red enameled broad ring bounded on the outside and inside
• enlarged diamond border. This one is in silver. Inside, gold is possible.
• Put the gold font in the decorative section: - NUNQUAM - RETRORSUM - (never returns).
• From below, 2 laurel branches of 3 leaves and 2 fruits are tied with a golden loop.
• Laurel branches are golden burgundy and green-enameled. The fruits have a red enameled color.
In the
• closed middle part, enamel painting. St. George in battle with the dragon.
• Saint George in armor on a white horse with a spear, the dragon is green.

Downside:

• Smooth and silvery with a large round covering plate in the middle.
• (If the cover has manufacturer's marking)
• Needle jack and counterhook on the upper and lower beam of the star body, respectively.
• The needle is expanded in the center and below with a tuberous tip.

Photos of www.Medalnet.net