House Order of the Honour Cross, Type II, Merit Cross in Silver
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.LPD.0101.310.01.000
Estimated market value:
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A silver Maltese cross with pebbled arms, the cross arms tipped with ball finials, the obverse centre presents the crowned initials PFEL for Paul Friedrich Emil Leopold, circumscribed by the inscription DEN XXV OCTOBER MDCCCLXIX (the foundation date 25 October 1869), the reverse centre presents a crowned Lippische rose, surrounded by the inscription FÜR TREUE UND VERDIENST (FOR FAITH AND MERIT), measuring 41.19 mm (w) x 45.05 mm (h), on loop for suspension from period original ribbon, and in very fine condition.
A Maltese cross, constructed of silver. Between the tips of the 12 o’clock arm is a five-leafed agraffe. The cross features pebbled arms and a smooth border, and each cross arm tip features a silver ball finial. The centre features a pebbled medallion with the monogram ‘PFEL’. The pebbled medallion ring features a crown at the top and the circular inscription ‘DEN XXV OCTOBER MDCCCLXIX’ (‘October 15, 1869'). The reverse is similar, except that the centre medallion features a rose and the circular inscription ‘FÜR TREUE UND VERDIENST’ (‘for loyalty and merit’). On a loop for suspension, on a red ribbon with broad yellow borders.
The House Order of the Honour Cross was instituted by Prince Leopold III of Lippe and Adolf-Georg of Schaumburg-Lippe, and was conferred in recognition of distinguished civil and military merit.
The order originally consisted of the following grades: I Class, II Class, III Class, Golden Merit Cross, and Silver Merit Cross. The order also featured a Grand Cross with Grand Cross Breast Star, but it was reserved for the princes of Lippe-Detmold and Lippe-Schaumburg.
The order was freely conferred by both founders and could be awarded to foreigners.
In 1871, it was determined that officers who served in the 1870/1871 campaigns against France were to receive awards featuring crossed swords. It was also decided that if an individual had received a lower class award with swords and then a higher grade without swords, they were allowed to wear the higher grade with swords on the suspension ring.
In 1887, the statutes were amended and the IV Class Medal was added to the order. At this point, oak leaves for outstanding achievement were introduced as a possible addition.
In 1890, the Schaumburg-Lippe House established its own order, and the House Order of the Honour Cross was no longer conferred as a joint award. The statutes of the order remained the same, but the reverse monogram was changed from “LA” to “L”.
In 1911, it was determined that the Grand Cross could be conferred upon foreign sovereigns and princes of ruling houses.
In 1913, the III Class Honour Cross with oak leaves was replaced with the Officers’ Honour Cross. In addition, the IV Class Honour Cross was divided into two types: IV Class Honour Cross with Rays and IV Class Honour Cross without Rays.
The awards of Type I feature small golden ball finials on the ends of the cross arms. The awards of Type II do not feature these.
Type II features the monogram "L".
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