Among the decorations of the German federal states, the Royal Saxon Civil Merit Order (Königlich Sächsischer Zivilverdienstorden) holds a distinguished position. Founded on June 7, 1815 by King Friedrich August I of Saxony, it was created to recognize outstanding civilian service and virtue. The order's establishment came at a pivotal moment: King Friedrich August I had just returned from imprisonment following the Napoleonic Wars, and the creation of this decoration symbolized a fresh beginning for the Kingdom of Saxony. Originally designated as the “Zivilverdienstorden” (Civil Merit Order), it was renamed the “Verdienstorden” (Order of Merit) in 1849.
The Evolution of Swords for War Merit
The order's history reflects the military upheavals of nineteenth-century Germany. The Kingdom of Saxony fought on Austria's side in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, participating in the decisive Battle of Königgrätz. In response to these hostilities, swords for war merit were instituted on October 29, 1866 – crossed swords placed through the center of the cross to denote military bravery.
A further refinement came during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71. On December 9, 1870, King Johann introduced the swords on ring (Schwerter am Ring) – a distinctly Saxon innovation. Initially, this variant carried a unique meaning: it was awarded when the holder of a civil decoration received the same grade for war merit. From 1906 onward, Saxony aligned its practice with other German states, and swords on ring came to indicate promotion to a higher class after receiving a lower class with swords, thus preserving recognition of earlier valor. Following a decree of December 8, 1906, eligible recipients could exchange their decorations for the version with swords on ring, though they were required to pay the price difference themselves.
The Second Model with Crown
This piece belongs to the Second Model of the order, instituted on February 23, 1891 by King Albert. The defining feature of this new model was the addition of a golden crown surmount for the Grand Cross and Commander classes. Simultaneously, applied metal medallions replaced the earlier painted versions, and an eight-ray breast star was introduced for the Grand Cross.
The cross itself takes the form of a Maltese cross with white enameled arms and green enameled segments between them, incorporating the rue crown motif – the heraldic symbol of Saxony. The obverse center medallion bears the crowned Saxon coat of arms surrounded by the inscription “FRIED.AUG.K.V.SACHSEN.D.7.JUN.1815”, referencing the founder and the date of establishment. The reverse displays the four-line inscription “FÜR VERDIENST UND TREUE” (For Merit and Loyalty) within a green enameled oak leaf wreath. Versions intended for foreign recipients bore the alternative inscription “DEM VERDIENSTE” (For Merit).
During the Second Model period (1891–1918), the order comprised the following classes: Grand Cross (worn on a sash from right shoulder to left hip, with an eight-ray breast star), Commander's Cross 1st Class (worn at the neck with a four-ray breast star), Commander's Cross 2nd Class (worn at the neck without breast star), Knight's Cross 1st and 2nd Class, and Merit Cross. Notably, the Grand Cross and Commander's crosses were identical in size, distinguished only by their accompanying breast star – a characteristic that makes definitive identification challenging when the star is not present.
Extraordinary Rarity
The award numbers for the highest classes of the Merit Order with Swords on Ring in genuine gold execution underscore the extreme scarcity of this type. Specialist literature records only 2 Grand Crosses, 4 Commander's Crosses 1st Class, and 6 Commander's Crosses 2nd Class with Swords on Ring in gold. For comparison, even during the far more prolific award period of World War I, only 15 Commander's Crosses with Swords 1st Class (with breast star) and 36 Commander's Crosses with Swords 2nd Class were bestowed with regular swords. Specimens with swords on ring are characterized in the scholarly community as “extremely rare decorations.” Even award documents for swords on ring are exceptionally scarce – only three certificates have been located for the related Albert Order.
The swords on ring on this piece were added by the Dresden court jeweler G.A. Scharffenberg (Hofjuwelier Scharffenberg), who was responsible for manufacturing and modifying the order's insignia. The ribbon is the standard pattern: white with green side stripes.
The End of an Era
The Kingdom of Saxony, which had existed as a German state since 1806, met its end with the conclusion of World War I. On November 13, 1918, King Friedrich August III abdicated, and the dissolution of the monarchy brought the order's existence to a close. Decorations were required to be returned upon the death of the recipient – a regulation that further diminished the survival rate of these pieces.
This particular example was sold in 2014 at the 56th auction of Andreas Thies and is described as the only known piece of its type. It is presented on its original long neck ribbon and described as having been minimally worn, remaining in outstanding condition. Executed in finest Dresden jeweler quality with fine enameling on both sides and delicately chiseled crown and inlays, it represents one of the most significant pieces of Saxon phaleristic heritage to have appeared on the collector market.
