Physical Description

A Maltese cross, constructed of silver and enamel. The obverse cross is enamelled in green with a silver edge. Instead of a centre medallion, there is a red enamelled square with silver edges, and silver and white enamelled decorated tips. A white enamelled left-facing falcon with silver edges and a black enamelled eye is placed on the square. The reverse is similar, except that the cross is enamelled in white and the centre square is enamelled in green. On it is an oval dark blue enamelled medallion with the silver inscription ‘VIGILANDO ASCENDIMUS’ (‘through vigilance we ascend’). The medallion is surrounded by a silver laurel wreath with a silver ducal crown at the top. At the top of the cross is a mobile silver crown attached to the cross via an agraffe situated between the tips of the 12 o’clock arm. Between cross and falcon are two crossed swords. On a loop for suspension, on a red ribbon.

History

The Order of the White Falcon was originally founded by Duke Ernst August to honour Emperor Charles VI, but the order quickly fell into disuse.

The order was renewed on October 18, 1815 by Grand Duke Carl Ernst, and it was awarded to Saxon citizens in recognition of meritorious civil and military service, especially service that benefited the ducal house.

While it was primarily a house order, it was also conferrable to foreign high ranking heads of state.

The Type II order awards were conferred within the Civil Division and the Military Division.

The Military Division awards conferred from 1815 to 1870 feature a trophy of arms design on the reverse, while the Military Division awards conferred from 1870 to 1918 feature crossed swords through the centre of the cross and a wreath on the reverse.

The Civil Division awards conferred from 1815 to 1918 feature a wreath on the reverse and no crossed swords.

In 1892 a version was created to recognise general merit that was rendered in the name of the grand ducal house. The awards for general merit did not feature a red and green enamelled square between the cross arms.

Grand Duke Carl Ernst added the grade of II Class Knight to the order in 1902.