House Order of the Honour Cross, Type I, Merit Cross in Gold with Swords
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.LPD.0101.207.01.000
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A Maltese cross, constructed of gold. Between the tips of the 12 o’clock arm is a five-leafed gold agraffe. The cross features pebbled arms and a smooth border, and each cross arm tip features a golden 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, with a metal cypher in the shape of two crossed golden swords.
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 1887, the statutes were amended and the IV Class Medal was added to the order. At this point, swords for war merit and oak leaves for outstanding achievement were introduced as possible additions.
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.
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