Mother’s Cross in Gold (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter in Gold) in Case – August G. Tham, Gablonz
An outstanding and highly desirable German WWII Mother’s Cross (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter) in Gold (1st Class), complete with its original presentation case by the renowned manufacturer August G. Tham, Gablonz.
The cross retains an attractive original gilt finish with beautiful deep blue translucent enamel and crisp white borders. The central medallion remains sharp, displaying the inscription “DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER” surrounding the swastika. The reverse bears the standard inscription “16. Dezember 1938” together with Adolf Hitler’s facsimile signature, as found on wartime-produced examples. The decoration is complete with its original full-length neck ribbon.
Included is the original purple leatherette presentation case, featuring the gilt Mother’s Cross emblem embossed on the lid. The satin-lined interior is printed “August G. Tham Gablonz”, identifying one of the well-known Sudeten German manufacturers of period decorations. Complete cased Gold Mother’s Crosses by named makers are considerably scarcer than the more commonly encountered pouch-issued examples and are highly sought after by collectors.
The Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter (Mother’s Cross) was instituted on 16 December 1938 to honour German mothers who had borne and raised large families. The Gold Grade (1st Class) represented the highest class of the award and was presented to mothers with eight or more children, making it the rarest and most prestigious grade of the series.
This example displays beautifully, retaining excellent original gilt finish, vibrant enamel, and crisp details throughout. The original ribbon remains complete with only light signs of age and storage. The presentation case is structurally sound, fitted with its original velvet and satin interior, and retains a crisp, fully legible maker’s imprint. The push-button closure functions correctly.
Condition: Excellent original condition. The cross retains beautiful original gilt finish with vibrant enamel and sharp detail throughout. The original full-length ribbon shows only light age-related wear. The presentation case remains in very good condition with a clean interior, clear August G. Tham, Gablonz maker’s mark, and a fully functional closure.
€125,00
In stock
In stock
Details
| Conflict | World War II |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany (Third Reich) |
Statement
Wolfgang Historica is a trusted seller with years of experience and consistently positive reviews. We are always interested in purchasing collections or unique objects and also offer a professional consignment service. Buy with confidence.
Historical Description
The Cross of Honour of the German Mother (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter), commonly known as the Mutterkreuz (“Mother’s Cross”), was a state decoration introduced by the government of Nazi Germany to recognise mothers considered to have made exceptional contributions to the German nation through childbirth and child-rearing.
The decoration was instituted by decree on 16 December 1938 and awarded from 1939 until 1945. Eligibility was primarily granted to German citizens (Reichsdeutsche), and later extended to ethnic German women (Volksdeutsche) in incorporated territories such as Austria and the Sudetenland.
The award was issued in three classes based on the number of children raised:
- Bronze Class: 4–5 children
- Silver Class: 6–7 children
- Gold Class: 8 or more children
Recipients were selected according to strict eligibility criteria, intended to recognise women considered exemplary in motherhood and moral conduct.
The decoration was worn suspended from a narrow blue-and-white ribbon, typically measuring approximately 60–70 cm in length, and was worn on the neck. No alternative form of wear was permitted under the official regulations.
