Order of the White Eagle, Type II, Civil Division, III Class
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.SRB.0101.305.01.000
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A badge in silver gilt, consisting of a white enameled double headed eagle, adorned by large Serbian crown with long blue enameled ribbons, centre obverse presenting the Serbian cross with a fire-steel in each quadrant, reverse centre presenting institution year of 1882 on red enameled background, unmarked however unmarked however exhibiting the manufacturing characteristics of French maker Arthus Bertrand, typical WW1 period production, measuring 41 mm (w) x 99 mm (h - inclusive of crown and horizontally pierced ball suspension adorned by cross), with ornate elongated suspension loop, original silk neck ribbon with ties, with enamel loss to ribbon and wear, very fine.
The Order of the White Eagle was introduced by King Milan I on January 23, 1883 (Russian method of dating) to commemorate the restoration of the kingdom of Serbia, proclaimed on February 22, 1882 in Belgrade. The Order was designed by historian Stojan Novakovich, who combined two medieval royal symbols of Serbia: the double-headed white eagle (1309-19) and the red escutcheon with the white cross (1402).
The Order was established with five classes awarded in recognition of "services rendered to the King, the Royal Household, and the State in all branches of the national administration or public life." Starting in Class V, this Order was awarded by classes, recipients should remain in a specific class at least two years before the next class could be awarded. It was conferred to military personnel as well as civilians, and to nationals and foreigners alike. In 1915, the decorations with swords were added to honor Officers of the Serbian Army for merits in the battle field. The Order had no motto.
The Serbian system of decoration was completely reorganized by Peter I Karageorgevich once he assumed the throne following the May Coup of 1903. By then, the reverse medallion of the Order was modified. In 1941, the Order was dissolved along with the capitulation of the Yugoslav Kingdom.
In Medalbook, this order is classified into three types. Type I contains the civil awards granted before 1903, and Type II consists of the civil awards granted afterwards. Type III presents the insignia with sword, introduced since 1915.
In Type II and III, the reverse medallion was modified featuring now the year of the proclamation of the kingdom (1882) on the back of the eagle. The inscription in the ribbon was also suppressed.
In Order of precedence, the Order of the White Eagle remained as the highest order granted by Serbia, until 1941. During the period of the Karageorgevich Dynasty (1903-1941), the number of holders was not limited; accordingly, the pieces from the second period are more commonly found than the pieces from the first period (Type I).
Over the second period, the Order was manufactured mainly by G.A. Scheid, Vienna. During the WWI, the Order was also produced by Arthus-Bertrand, and after 1922, the production was assumed by Huguenin Freres as well. The features of the insignia vary by maker; the quality, materials and sizes vary greatly in this period.
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