Polish Order of the White Eagle & Star (Order Orła Białego)

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Polish Order of the White Eagle & Star (Order Orła Białego):
$150.00

Polish Order of the White Eagle & Star

Thisorder is believed to have been created by king Ladislas the Short in 1325, onthe occassion of the wedding of his son, later king Casimir the Great. Howeverit was officially instituted in 1705 by Augustus II (the Strong), King ofPoland and Kurfürst of Saxony. It had initially the form of the oval redenameled medal, replaced by the cross in 1709 and worn from the neck, and from1713 on the sash and with a star. Abolished 1793 after the third partition ofPoland and renewed many times. The highest decoration of Poland beforepartitions, of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw (1807-1815) and Kingdom of Poland(1815-1831). After the defeat of the uprising of 1830 it was altered andincluded in the Russian award system, where it remained until the communistrevolution of 1917. Revived in independent Poland by act of Parliament ofFebruary 4, 1921 as the highest award. Not conferred by the communistgovernment after WWII (although never officially discontinued) was continued tobe awarded by the President in Exile. Reestablished by Act of Parliament ofOctober 16, 1992 as the uppermost Polish award. Conferred in a single class(GC) on both Polish citizens and foreigners, for exceptional merit to thePolish Country and Nation. President of Poland is always the Grand Master ofthe order.

Orderpressed with tombac, enamelled gold-plated !!!

Badge(since 1921): red enameled and white outlined gold Maltese cross with ballfinials and gold rays between the arms. A white enameled crowned eagle withspread wings, heading left is superimposed on the cross. Reverse: white framed,granular, without enamel and bearing the motto: ZA : OJCZY : ZNE : I / NARÓD(for Country and Nation) on the arms. Central medallion: white, with entwinedcipher RP (Rzeczpospolita Polska - Republic of Poland), surrounded by a greenlaurel wreath.

Dimension70x70 mm Thickness 13mm.

Star:eight sets of plain sliver rays. Superimposed is the cross, like the reverse ofthe badge, but without ball finials, the arms are red enameled and with gilt,shell-like flames between.

Dimension76x76 mm Thickness 9mm.

Verynice order.Very good condition