Order of Berthold I, Commander Breast Star with Swords (in silver and silver gilt)

CATEGORY: Version

SKU: 01.BAD.0104.204.01.001

Estimated market value:

$5,850 USD

  • Order of Berthold I, Commander Breast Star with Swords (in silver and silver gilt) Obverse
  • Order of Berthold I, Commander Breast Star with Swords (in silver and silver gilt) Reverse

Estimated market value:

$5,850 USD

Attributes

  • Country
    Germany
  • Makers
    Ludwig Bertsch, Karlsruhe
  • Composition
    Silver/Silver gilt/Enamelled
  • Inscription
    Obv: GERECHTIGKEIT IST MACHT
  • Size
    89x89mm; 75x3.5mm (swords)
  • Version Remarks
    This version contains silver gilt.
  • Image Licensing
    The image of the Order of Berthold I, Commander Breast Star with Swords (in silver and silver gilt) is attributed to Andreas Thies, Catalog 63, December 9, 2017. Please see the following page for more information: https://www.andreas-thies.de/onTEAM/grafik/A63_001_032.pdf

Physical Description and Item Details


A four-rayed star constructed of silver, silver gilt, and enamels. The obverse bears a central circular medallion with the image of Berthold I in armour, on horseback with a sword and shield, on a red enamelled background. Encompassed by a pebbled gold border with an enamelled border with the inscription "GERECHTIGKEIT IST MACHT” (Justice is Might), encompassed with another gold pebbled ring. With two crossed swords behind the medallion. The reverse bears a pinback.

History


The Order of Berthold I was established on April 29, 1877 by Grand Duke Frederick I to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of his accession, to be conferred as an additional class above the grand cross of the Order of the Zähringer Lion. On September 9, 1896, the day of Grand Duke Frederick’s seventieth birthday, the order became separate from the Order of the Zähringer Lion.

The order was then expanded into three classes: Grand Cross, Commander, and Knight. Originally, the Order of Berthold I had been established as an attempt to keep the people’s descent from the Dukes of Zähringen alive. However, with the separation in 1896, the order could be awarded to any individual regardless of status. The Order of Berthold I was awarded to individuals who served faithfully or as a special show of recognition and benevolence. Recipients of both the Order of Berthold I and the Order of the Zähringer Lion could wear both orders at the same time, but the last received order before the other.

In 1900, a Collar was added to the Order of Berthold I.
The awards were conferred within two divisions, the Civil Division and the Military Division. The Civil Division awards featured a surmounting crown, and the Military Division awards featured a surmounting crown and crossed swords. In the case of the Breast Star, the Civil Division Breast Stars do not feature a crown or swords, while the Military Division Breast Stars do feature crossed swords.

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