The Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, 2nd Class with Diamonds represents one of the most significant decorations of the Prussian monarchy and exemplifies the sophisticated hierarchy of courtly honors in the German Empire. This special execution with genuine diamonds marked an extraordinary enhancement within the already prestigious second class of the Order.
The origins of the Order reach back to November 17, 1705, when Margrave Georg Wilhelm of Brandenburg-Bayreuth established the Ordre de la sincérité. Following the transfer of Brandenburg-Bayreuth to Prussia in December 1791, King Friedrich Wilhelm II adopted the Order on June 12, 1792, establishing it as the second-highest Prussian order after the Order of the Black Eagle. King Friedrich Wilhelm III expanded the structure on January 18, 1810 by adding the second and third classes, thereby creating the award form represented here. The 2nd Class with Star was added in 1830, and numerous further modifications followed throughout the 19th century, including the addition of Swords for military merit in 1848 and the Grand Cross by Wilhelm I in 1861.
This specimen originates from the renowned workshop of J. Wagner & Sohn, Royal Court Jewelers in Berlin. The firm, originally founded by Johann Adam Wagner, received the title of Royal Court Jeweler before 1818 and moved into prestigious premises at Unter den Linden No. 30 from 1869 onward. The company continuously supplied the Prussian royal house with orders and jewelry and remained a preferred supplier even after the accession of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1888. The gold-stamped inscription in the lid of the presentation case attests to this exclusive provenance.
The craftsmanship of this order cross demonstrates the highest achievement of Berlin goldsmith art. The 48 mm cross is executed in gold and finely enameled on both sides. At the center of the obverse, on white enameled ground, appears the red Brandenburg eagle, wearing the Prussian royal crown on its head, holding a green laurel wreath in its talons, and bearing the Hohenzollern coat of arms on its breast. The reverse of the center medallion presents the royal cipher FW (Friedrich Wilhelm) beneath the Prussian royal crown on white enameled ground. The special execution for diamond pieces is evident in the separately applied eagle and the surrounding wreath of genuine diamonds. The original suspension ring is set with seven genuine diamonds, clearly distinguishing this variant from the regular second class.
The Order was awarded to both military personnel and civilians to recognize valor in combat, excellence in military leadership, long and faithful service to the Kingdom of Prussia, or other significant achievements. Awards were restricted to commissioned officers or civilians of approximately equivalent status. The second class was typically reserved for general officers and nobility. The addition of diamonds indicated a special distinction for extraordinary merit and elevated the recipient to an even more distinguished level.
Among the documented recipients of the second class are significant figures in Prussian history. Ernst von Pfuel, Prussian general and Prime Minister, received the 2nd Class with Oak Leaves in 1830 and with Star in 1831, before being awarded the 1st Class with Diamonds in 1842. Dr. Albert Sigismund Jaspis, Generalsuperintendant, received the 2nd Class with Bow from Kaiser Wilhelm I on January 18, 1863. Court painter Anton von Werner received the 2nd Class on January 20, 1895, and the breast star of the 2nd Class on March 30, 1902. Ambassador Johann Heinrich von Bernstorff received the 2nd Class on December 24, 1909. Multiple military generals received various forms of the 2nd Class during World War I.
The complete presentation case with reddish-brown leather exterior and wine-red velvet bed interior documents the ceremonial significance of this decoration. The wine-red silk lining in the lid and the gold-stamped manufacturer inscription emphasize the representative character of this courtly honor.
The Order remained in use until the end of the Prussian monarchy in November 1918. With the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the conferral of this time-honored order came to an end, having recognized meritorious service to the Prussian state for over two centuries.
