Austro-Hungarians

[Coburg]

The case is a bit battered

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[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

it's always interesting that this discussion is kept alive.

Most of the enthusiasts in this room are collector of the beautiful and historically relevant Imperial German pieces, but I see that some of us collect the awards from Imperial Austria and this makes me very happy.

So, I would like to continue our research, remaining about the recently discussed Order of the Iron Crown.

This order, was originally founded by Napoleon as the Merit Order of the Italian Kingdom (Regno Italico): the "Ordine Reale Italiano della Corona Ferrea" (or "Royal Italian Order of the Iron Crown"), divided into three classes:

Knight (Cavaliere);

Commander (Commendatore);

Dignitary (Dignitario).

The two lower classes were worn as breast decorations, resp. in silver and gold, with enamelled details; the Dignitary wore the badge suspended to a yellow, green bordered sash and a breast star.

At the fall of Napoleon, the territories of the former "Regno Italico" went under the rule of Austria as the newly founded "Regno Lombardo-Veneto" (Lombardic-Venetian Kingdom).
Since many ex-napoleonic military, and civilans, now Austrian subjects received the Napoleonic Order, the Emperor of Austria decided to revive the abolished order, in a new -completely Austrian- one: so, in 1815 the new "Oesterreichisch Kaiserliche Orden der Eisernen Krone" (Imperial Austrian Order of the Iron Crown), was instituted, and directly inspired by the former Napoleonic order, by dividing it in three classes:

I Klasse (1st Class, or Grand Cross);

II Klasse (2nd Class, or Commander);

III Klasse (3rd Class, or Knight).

The 1st Class was worn suspended to a sash ribbon and a breast star;
the 2nd Class suspended to a neck ribbon;
the 3rd class, as a breast badge.

In 1860, to better distinguish the awards made in time of war, was created the so-called Kriegsdekoration (War Decoration); a laurel wreath added to the badges and star. In 1916, were also added the Swords, for merits in front of the enemy.

Austria's Emperor didn't forget the former Napoleonic recipients of the ceased order, creating for them, the so-called "Ordre du Rémplacement": the recipients received a special decoration, similar to the new order, but of a somewhat simpler manufacture and, according to the French type, the lower class of Knight was in silver and enamels; the Commander in gold and the Dignitary, larger, in gold with sash and star (this, without the new motto "AVITA ET AUCTA", but a golden oak wreath). These badges were worn suspended to the old, Napoleonic ribbon.

Since in Austria NCOs and soldiers weren't eligible to chivalric orders, for those who received the Napoleonic Order, a special medal was instituted, the so called

"Silberne Verdienstmedaille "Pro Virtute Militari" (Silver Merit Medal "For Military Valour").

After this probably boring foreword, I would like to post some pictures, that probably better explain the evolution of this historically important award:

first, a badge of Commander of the Napoleonic Order:

[Elmar Lang]

...and a Knight's badge:

[Elmar Lang]

...and a further, different Knight's badge:

[Elmar Lang]

Now, the so-called "Ordre du Rémplacement" of the 2nd and 3rd Class, plus the "Pro Virtute Militari medal:

[Elmar Lang]

The earliest pieces of the Austrian Order of the Iron Crown, are very rare, because it was compulsory the return of the insignia at the recipient's death.

The pieces from 1815 are most rare, while those from 1830 ca. can sometimes be found

Of this type, a few "survived" outside the Order's chapter, because of war or presumed loss of the badges.

Here, a series of badges of the three classes from 1830 ca., to better compare the difference of size:

[Elmar Lang]

Now, a 2nd Class badge from ca. 1850/60 (please note the maker's signature of Rothe, Vienna, on the reverse of the Crown's pendalia:

[Elmar Lang]

The already seen, early, 1st Class badge, between two metal breast stars, at left, from ca. 1860; at right, a piece belonged to a German prince, from ca. 1830/'40:

[Elmar Lang]

The early 2nd Class badge, in comparison with a golden 2nd Class from ca. 1890; a golden 2nd Class with KD from ca. 1914/'15 and a gilt-bronze 2nd Class with KD and Swords, from ca. 1917:

[Elmar Lang]

Now, a cased 1st Class group from late 19th Century, with the Order's badge and the star's details in gold: