{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-cased-gold-mother-s-cross-by-friedrich-linden-of-ludenscheid-1","title":"Original German WWII Cased Gold Mother’s Cross by Friedrich Linden of Lüdenscheid","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of The Cross of Honor of the German Mother or \u003cem\u003eMutterkreuz\u003c\/em\u003e (Mother’s Cross) in gold (1st class, Gold Cross: eligible mothers with eight or more children!). The case is maker marked by \u003cstrong\u003eFRIEDRICH LINDEN OF LÜDENSCHEID\u003c\/strong\u003e on the inside of the lid. It has the correct gold embossed image of the Mother's Cross with a gold swas (Hook cross) on the cover, and is still fully functional. There are some small tears and deterioration around the corners of the the leatherette covering, and the white satin lining over the hinge has torn. There are also some larger areas of missing covering on the bottom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReverse of medal reads \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e16 December 1938\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is the date that the award was first established, along with AH's Signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe condition is very good, and it has the thinner style of ribbon attached to the cross. There is some verdigris where the ribbon passes through the award, an the ribbon itself has had the stitching at the end tear through, and also shows a good amount of age toning. It definitely looks to be an award that was worn for some time, but in spite of this the cross is still bright, and has just a bit of verdigris. The enamel is very well retained, showing only light overall wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComes ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cross of Honour of the German Mother, referred to colloquially as the \u003cem\u003eMutterehrenkreuz\u003c\/em\u003e (Mother’s Cross of Honor) or simply \u003cem\u003eMutterkreuz\u003c\/em\u003e (Mother’s Cross), was a state decoration conferred by the government of the German Reich to honor a Reichsdeutsche German mother for exceptional merit to the German nation. Eligibility later extended to include \u003cem\u003eVolksdeutsche\u003c\/em\u003e (ethnic German) mothers from, for example, Austria and Sudetenland, that had earlier been incorporated into the German Reich.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decoration was conferred from 1939 until 1945 in three classes: bronze, silver, and gold, to Reichsdeutsche mothers who exhibited probity, exemplary motherhood, and who conceived and raised at least four or more children in the role of a parent. A similar practice, that continues to this present day, was already established in France since 1920, by conferring the \u003cem\u003eMédaille de la Famille française\u003c\/em\u003e (Medal of the French Family), a tribute to the French mother who raised several children in an appropriate way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn recognition of the substantial importance a woman's role and motherhood was in support of a strong Germany, the Cross of Honor of the German Mother was introduced by decree in Berlin on 16 December 1938 by Führer und Reichskanzler (leader and chancellor) AH. The preamble of the statutory decree declared:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAs a visible sign of gratitude of the German nation to children-rich mothers I establish this Cross of Honor of the German Mother\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crosses were awarded annually on the second Sunday in May (Mothering Sunday or Mother's Day), but also extended to include other national annual occasions of celebration. So despite its institution in 1938, the first awards were rendered in May 1939.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mother's Cross was composed of three classes, and conferred to mothers in accordance with its statutory legislation: Verordnung des Führers und Reichskanzlers über die Stiftung des Ehrenkreuzes der Deutschen Mutter vom 16. Dezember 1938. Reichsgesetzblatt (RGBI) Teil I, 1938, Nr. 224, Seite 1923 (In English: Statutory Order of the Leader and Chancellor on the establishment of the Cross of Honor of the German Mother of 16 December 1938. Imperial-(Reichs) Law Gazette (RGBl) Part I, 1938, No. 224, Page 1923), and its stringent nomination screening protocol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClasses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e-1st class, Gold Cross: eligible mothers with eight or more children\u003cbr\u003e-2nd class, Silver Cross: eligible mothers with six or seven children\u003cbr\u003e-3rd class, Bronze Cross: eligible mothers with four or five children\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42678726066245,"sku":"ONSV25TGA070","price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25TGA070__01.jpg?v=1745240788","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-cased-gold-mother-s-cross-by-friedrich-linden-of-ludenscheid-1","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}