Circa 1900. The ensemble consisting of the bicorn hat, the uniform coat with epaulettes and white gloves, white breeches, and the associated sword.
The bicorn of black needle felt with white plumes, on the right side with silver agraffe on blue-white silk ribbon, the silver button with the emblem of the Order of Saint George. Interior with black silk sweatband and white silk lining. In original box.
Red tailcoat with white cuff facings and piping, two rows of 7 silver buttons each with the emblem of the Order of Saint George, white parade rabat applied to the front of the coat, on the shoulders the silver-embroidered large epaulettes decorated with sequins and the George Cross with silver rigid bullion wire. Interior of the coat lined with quilted white silk.
Additionally the white cloth breeches with silver-embroidered seam stripes with red insets and the white gloves for the dress coat.
Magnificent silver-mounted sword. The blade 76 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, the forward end double-edged, the lower end grooved on both sides, blued and decorated with gilt engravings, on the false edge of the verso the maker “Joh. Stroblberger München”. Finely chased silver hilt with floral ornamentation, on the front of the guard Saint George slaying the dragon, mother-of-pearl grip scales. Attached sword knot of the Order in silver braid with red insets and the George Cross on the stem. Leather scabbard with nickel-silver mounts, the locket sits loosely. Additionally the carrying strap for the sword.
All parts in beautiful condition! A magnificent ensemble of high quality!

The Royal House Order of Saint George is the house order of the Bavarian Electors, founded in 1729. It is named after Saint George, the patron saint of knights. It was the highest order of nobility of the Electorate and the Kingdom of Bavaria.
The members were divided into 6 Grand Commanders (Grand Cross Knights), 12 Commanders and Knights, the number of annual admissions was limited to 6. The Grand Master is always the head of the House of Wittelsbach, male members of the royal house were admitted with the rank of Grand Priors.

451544

€ 8.500,00

Kingdom of Bavaria Red Uniform of the Royal House Order of Saint George

The House Order of the Knights of Saint George represents one of the most significant honors in Bavarian history and embodies the centuries-old tradition of the House of Wittelsbach. This uniform from around 1900 impressively documents the courtly splendor and ceremonial practices of the Kingdom of Bavaria in its late phase.

Historical Development of the Order

The House Order of the Knights of Saint George was founded on January 1, 1729, by Elector Karl Albrecht of Bavaria (later Emperor Charles VII). The naming after Saint George, the legendary dragon slayer and patron saint of knights, references the chivalric ideals and Christian values that the Order was meant to embody. As the highest order of the Bavarian nobility, it stood in the tradition of the great European knightly orders and served to bind the most important noble families to the ruling house.

Membership was strictly limited: the Order comprised six Grand Commanders (Grand Cross Knights), twelve Commanders, and a certain number of Knights. Annual admissions were restricted to six persons, underlining the exclusivity of this distinction. The respective head of the House of Wittelsbach served as Grand Master, while male members of the royal house received the rank of Grand Prior.

The Order Uniform

The magnificent red uniform follows the strict regulations of the Order and reflects the courtly fashion at the turn of the century. The red tailcoat with its white trimmings and cuffs corresponds to the traditional coloring of the Order. The double row of seven silver buttons each, bearing the emblem of the Order of Saint George, displays the heraldic symbolism of the House of Wittelsbach. The attached white parade plastron on the tailcoat marks the ceremonial purpose of this uniform.

Particularly noteworthy are the silver-embroidered epaulettes with sequins and the George Cross, executed with rigid bullion fringe. These elaborate shoulder pieces served as rank insignia and were characteristic of courtly uniforms of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The white silk lining of the tailcoat interior documents the high-quality workmanship.

The bicorne made of black needle felt with white feathers corresponds to the traditional headgear for court uniforms and was worn on ceremonial occasions. The silver agraffe on blue-and-white silk ribbon displays the Bavarian national colors, while the silver button bears the emblem of the Order of Saint George.

The Order Sword

The accompanying sword with its 76 cm long, partially blued and gilded blade is a masterpiece of Munich weaponsmithing. The manufacture by Johann Stroblberger of Munich marks its origin from one of Bavaria's most renowned weapon manufactories. The finely chased silver hilt with floral ornamentation and the depiction of Saint George slaying the dragon on the guard refer to the Order's symbolism.

The sword knot of silver braid with red stripes and the George Cross on the stem was an essential component of the Order's equipment and identified the wearer as an Order member. The color combination of silver and red is found consistently in all elements of the uniform.

Ceremonial Use

Uniforms of this type were worn at the solemn Order festivals that took place annually on Saint George's Day (April 23) in the Munich Residence. On these occasions, Order members assembled for religious services in the court chapel and participated in festive banquets. The magnificent uniforms underscored the dignity and importance of these ceremonies.

After the abdication of King Ludwig III in 1918, the state significance of the Order ended, but it continues to exist as the house order of the Wittelsbach family to this day. This uniform from around 1900 thus documents the last flowering of the Kingdom of Bavaria under the reigns of Prince Regent Luitpold and King Ludwig III.

Cultural-Historical Significance

Such complete uniform ensembles are extremely rare today and represent important testimonies of Bavarian court culture. They document not only masterful craftsmanship in textile and metal processing, but also the social order and self-understanding of the monarchy. The preservation in the original box underscores the appreciation accorded to these representative objects.

The ensemble demonstrates the continuity of courtly tradition even in the modern era and illustrates how the Bavarian monarchy maintained its ceremonial splendor until the end. For military historians and costume researchers, such complete sets provide invaluable insights into the material culture and social practices of European courts around 1900.