A SUPERB & VERY RARE CZECHOSLOVAKIAN
“ORDER OF THE WHITE LION”
( Class III “Silver Gilt”)
(Commander, Civil) With Crossed Palms.
This wonderful example comes with its original broad neck ribbon and cloth end ties.
The Order of the White Lion is THE highest order of the Czechoslovakia Republic.
It continues an earlier order of the same name which was instituted in 1922 as a decoration for foreign citizens. (Czechoslovakia did not issue civilian decoration for its country men in the 1920s and 1930s) .
The order was inspired by a previous & very early award called The Czech Nobility Cross which was originally awarded in 1814 by King-Emperor Francis 1st who decorated 37 Bohemian men of noble birth.
The order was then later further adapted as an “award for merit” by Czechoslovakia for foreign citizens.
The Order was promulgated in five classes and two divisions, a civil decoration with two crossed palms above the badge, and military decoration with two crossed swords above the main badge.
Medals were made of gold and silver with the numbers of recipients being at a set limit. These limits changed several times in later years. The Legal Standing of the order was further amended in 1924, 1930, and 1936.
The badge of the Order is a five-armed red enameled star, the finials of which are adorned with small balls, with leaflets between the arms. Mounted on the centre obverse of the star is a silver lion as also represented on the Czech national coat of arms. The reverse or the Star is also red enameled, with the coats of arms of the former parts of Czechoslovakia, being Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Slovakia and Carparthian Ruthenia set within a ring.
I Class with collar – reserved for heads of state and introduced in 1924.
*The Collar can be awarded separately.
I Class – Grand cross – limited to 250 recipients
II Class – Grand Officer – limited to 400 recipients
III Class – Commander – limited to 900 recipients
IV Class – Officer – limited to 1500 recipients, cross was smaller than the cross of the II/III class.
V Class – Knight – limited to 3000 recipients, cross was similar to IV Class, but in silver.
Subsequent to the end of World War II the Order of the White Lion became an award to those who had helped liberate Czechoslovakia from occupation by Nazi Germany. Following the surrender of Germany in May 1945, the National Czech Government in exile which was based in London made a large number of foreign bestowals by presenting the Order of the White Lion to senior officers of the Allied militaries.
A similar Order with the same name, The Military Order of the White Lion was instituted in 1945 and could be conferred upon both Czechoslovak citizens and foreigners. Sir Winston Churchill received this order as did The American President Dwight D. Eisenhower and US Army General George S. Patton who are but two of the high ranking and notable Americans who received the Military Order of the White Lion after the close of World War II.
We believe that this particular order which still has its original neck ribbon & ties, was presented to a very senior member of The British Foreign Office at the close of World War Two in recognition of his work with the Czech Government in Excile during the world war of 1939-1945.
This is a Truly Magnificent and Superbly Executed Order which is a Great Celebration of the Craft and High Art of Detailed Enamelling.
PRICE ON REQUEST
(Serious Telephone Enquiries Only Please....Thank You)
Call us today on: 01342-870960
The Order of the White Lion is THE highest order of the Czechoslovakia Republic.
It continues an earlier order of the same name which was instituted in 1922 as a decoration for foreign citizens. (Czechoslovakia did not issue civilian decoration for its country men in the 1920s and 1930s) .
The order was inspired by a previous & very early award called The Czech Nobility Cross which was originally awarded in 1814 by King-Emperor Francis 1st who decorated 37 Bohemian men of noble birth.
The order was then later further adapted as an “award for merit” by Czechoslovakia for foreign citizens.
The Order was promulgated in five classes and two divisions, a civil decoration with two crossed palms above the badge, and military decoration with two crossed swords above the main badge.
Medals were made of gold and silver with the numbers of recipients being at a set limit. These limits changed several times in later years. The Legal Standing of the order was further amended in 1924, 1930, and 1936.
The badge of the Order is a five-armed red enameled star, the finials of which are adorned with small balls, with leaflets between the arms. Mounted on the centre obverse of the star is a silver lion as also represented on the Czech national coat of arms. The reverse or the Star is also red enameled, with the coats of arms of the former parts of Czechoslovakia, being Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Slovakia and Carparthian Ruthenia set within a ring.
I Class with collar – reserved for heads of state and introduced in 1924.
*The Collar can be awarded separately.
I Class – Grand cross – limited to 250 recipients
II Class – Grand Officer – limited to 400 recipients
III Class – Commander – limited to 900 recipients
IV Class – Officer – limited to 1500 recipients, cross was smaller than the cross of the II/III class.
V Class – Knight – limited to 3000 recipients, cross was similar to IV Class, but in silver.
Subsequent to the end of World War II the Order of the White Lion became an award to those who had helped liberate Czechoslovakia from occupation by Nazi Germany. Following the surrender of Germany in May 1945, the National Czech Government in exile which was based in London made a large number of foreign bestowals by presenting the Order of the White Lion to senior officers of the Allied militaries.
A similar Order with the same name, The Military Order of the White Lion was instituted in 1945 and could be conferred upon both Czechoslovak citizens and foreigners. Sir Winston Churchill received this order as did The American President Dwight D. Eisenhower and US Army General George S. Patton who are but two of the high ranking and notable Americans who received the Military Order of the White Lion after the close of World War II.
We believe that this particular order which still has its original neck ribbon & ties, was presented to a very senior member of The British Foreign Office at the close of World War Two in recognition of his work with the Czech Government in Excile during the world war of 1939-1945.
This is a Truly Magnificent and Superbly Executed Order which is a Great Celebration of the Craft and High Art of Detailed Enamelling.
PRICE ON REQUEST
(Serious Telephone Enquiries Only Please....Thank You)
Call us today on: 01342-870960