NEW UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2021

Buy treasures for a reduced Buyer‘s Premium

7188 |

Saxony - Order of Albert, Commander Cross 2nd Class, 2nd Type

Saxony - Order of Albert, Commander Cross 2nd Class, 2nd Type

Saxony - Order of Albert, Commander Cross 2nd Class, 2nd Type

ITEM K-7188
SOLD
SOLD FOR 0% BUYER’S PREMIUM
PRICE
-

Own a similar product you want to sell? We are here for you at +49 8541 9053699

DESCRIPTion, DETaILS & Photos
SAVE FOR LATER
PERIOD until 1918
COUNTRY Imperial Germany
MATERIAL gold
DIMENSIONS 53.4 x 92.7 mm
OEK 2196
MAKER
WEIGHT 32.5 g
LOT K-7188
EAN 2000000557977
LOT K-7188
PERIOD until 1918
COUNTRY Imperial Germany
EAN 2000000557977
MATERIAL gold
DIMENSIONS 53.4 x 92.7 mm
OEK 2196
MAKER
WEIGHT 32.5 g
PERIOD until 1918
COUNTRY Imperial Germany
LOT K-7188
MATERIAL gold
DIMENSIONS 53.4 x 92.7 mm
EAN 2000000557977
OEK 2196
MAKER
WEIGHT 32.5 g
Imperial Germany
Saxony - Order of Albert, Commander Cross 2nd Class, 2nd Type


Description

The Commander Cross 2nd Class is made from Gold and Enamel. The Commander Cross is the same in size as the Grand Cross. A total of 1181 Commander Crosses 2nd Class were awarded. The total number of awards for Grand Cross, Commander 1st and 2nd Class comes to 2162.

The cross is highly detailed in its play between red and yellow gold. It features the proper bust on the avers side of the medallion and one-piece coat of arms on the reverse as a proper 2nd type cross. The loop affixed to the orb on the crown is in the shape of a stirrup and indicates an earlier manufacture. The set was probably made right after the model change in 1876.

The case features the inscription A. O. C. II., indicating the class of the order. Inside is the imprint of G.A. Scharffenberg with its full title and address. The court jeweler Scharffenberg was the major manufacture to the Saxon orders chancellery and has proven here again of their ability to supply the absolute best quality money could buy at the time.

Beautiful cross with fine patina in mint condition.


Condition
1
Historical information
Award period
1876 - 1918
OEK
2196
Institution date
December 31, 1850
Instituted by
King Friedrich August of Saxony

December 31, 1850, the Abert Order was created by King Friedrich August of Saxony. The main purpose of establishing the Albert Order was to honor those partaking in the revolts of 1848/49. Everybody that served meritorious, virtuous in civilian life, in science and art was eligible to receive this order. The order was named after Albert the Courageous as founder of the Albertinian Line from the House of Wettin to honor his death anniversary of 350 years.

Initially there were five classes: a) Grand Cross (Großkreuz), Commander Cross 1st Class (Komturkreuz 1. Klasse), Commander Cross 2nd Class (Komturkreuz 2. Klasse), Knight Cross (Ritterkreuz) and Small Cross (Kleinkreuz). Those classes provided the basis for a series of changes made over the whole existence of this order.  The cross was designed as a christian cross in gold with white enamel showing a oak leaf wreath through the arms of the cross and surmounted by a crown in case of Grand Cross and Commander. The Medallion is white enameled with the bust of the former ruler (two types) and encircled by a golden blue enameled ring showing the orders motto: “Albertus Animosus” terminated on the bottom with a floral agraf. The reverse medaillon is white enameled as well with the saxon coat of arms attached. The blue medallion ring shows a floral design being terminated on the bottom with the year of its foundation: 1850. The four (Grand Commander) and eight (grand cross) pointed star shows the same medaillon in the middle as the cross.

On March 18, 1858, the Small Cross was renamed to Honour Cross (Ehrenkreuz). On March 26, 1861 the gold and the silver Albert Medal (Verdienstmedaille) was added. In conjunction with the war of 1866 swords were added on 29th of October. On December 9, 1870 the Swords on Ring followed for those a) receiving a decoration with swords to an already received identical class without swords or b) those that received a civil upgrade to an existing military award (for example a) being awarded a knight cross with swords to an existing knight cross without swords or b) being awarded a Commander Cross 2nd Class without swords over a knight cross with swords).

Finally on January 26, 1875, it became apparent that the Albert Order had been awarded for 25 years with the wrong ancestral bust and was corrected quietly. Instead of Albert the Courageous Johan the Consistent had been shown by mistake, worse, being even from the Ernestine lineage.

1876, possibly based on the above mentioned mistake, the statues of the order were extensively overhauled. On February 2, 1876, the Knights Cross was split into two classes, the knight cross 1st class and the knight cross 2nd class. Further, the Honor Cross was abandoned and could be traded for the newly created knight cross 2nd class. In addition the golden and silver Albert medal were dropped from the lineup and no longer awarded; recipients of the golden medal were allowed to trade for the newly created Albert Cross (Albrechtskreuz). All classes would be awarded with and without swords from now on.

From April 30, 1883, on, the golden star to the Grand Cross was added and awarded on the sash of the House Order of the Crown of Rue framed in two white stripes. This was changed on April 21, 1893, when the golden star could be awarded on special occasions on the regular Albert Order sash.

Already June 11, 1890, the Officers Cross (Offizierskreuz) was added, ranking between the Knight Cross 1st class and the Commander Cross 2nd class, followed by the establishment of the Knight Cross 1st Class with golden Crown on July 26, 1901.

The Silver Crown was added to the golden star of the Grand Cross on August 24, 1903, creating the highest grade of the Albert Order.

On January 18, 1907, clarity was finally given to the Swords on Ring. Saxony followed the mainstream rule, when Swords on Ring were shown upgrading an existing military decoration with swords to the next higher class awarded for civil merit without swords

70ab05f4-33d6-11eb-8c0c-305a3a782327
Sell collectables in our shop! Please here for more details.