The German Eagle Order Breast Star with Swords is one of the most prestigious German state decorations of the Second World War period. This exceptional example was manufactured by Gebrüder Godet & Co. of Berlin, one of Germany’s foremost producers of official orders and decorations. Constructed from 900-grade silver, gilt metal and fired vitreous enamel, it displays the superb craftsmanship associated with Godet’s highest-quality production.
€ 3.750
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The German Eagle Order Breast Star with Swords is one of the most prestigious German state decorations of the Second World War period. This exceptional example was manufactured by Gebrüder Godet & Co. of Berlin, one of Germany’s foremost producers of official orders and decorations. Constructed from 900-grade silver, gilt metal and fired vitreous enamel, it displays the superb craftsmanship associated with Godet’s highest-quality production.
The reverse retains its original vertical pin assembly, stamped “900” and “21”. The “900” hallmark confirms the silver standard, while the maker’s code “21” identifies Gebrüder Godet & Co., Berlin. Furthermore, the decoration weighs 51.42 grams, which corresponds closely with documented museum and reference examples of this class.
Because of its quality, rarity and historical significance, this German Eagle Order Breast Star with Swords represents an important addition to any advanced collection of German orders, decorations or diplomatic awards.
The Order of Merit of the German Eagle (Verdienstorden vom Deutschen Adler) was instituted on 1 May 1937 as the official state order awarded primarily to foreign diplomats, senior military officers, government officials and distinguished foreign nationals.
Unlike military decorations such as the Iron Cross, the German Eagle Order functioned principally as a diplomatic honour. However, following the outbreak of the Second World War, crossed swords were introduced in 1939 to distinguish awards made for military merit or service connected with the armed forces.
In December 1943, the award system underwent a major reorganisation, expanding into nine classes while retaining breast stars for the senior grades.
The Australian War Memorial provides an excellent institutional overview of the order, its development and the significance of the swords. It also confirms that breast stars formed part of the higher classes of the award.
Further reading:
Australian War Memorial – Order of the German Eagle Second Class Breast Star
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C146658
This German Eagle Order Breast Star with Swords demonstrates the outstanding quality expected from Gebrüder Godet.
The decoration is of multi-piece construction, comprising:
The deeply fluted silver rays create an impressive radiating effect, while the white enamel contrasts beautifully against the darkened eagles and gilt swords.
Unlike many modern reproductions, every principal component has been individually manufactured and assembled, reflecting the complexity expected of a senior state decoration.
Founded during the nineteenth century, Gebrüder Godet & Co. became one of Germany’s premier manufacturers of orders, decorations and official insignia.
The firm supplied numerous state decorations and enjoyed an international reputation for exceptional die work, high-quality silver manufacture and beautifully fired enamel.
The reverse maker mark “21” is widely recognised by collectors and researchers as the Godet manufacturer’s code. Surviving German Eagle Order breast stars bearing the 900 / 21 hallmark are considered among the finest examples encountered today.
Comparable Godet breast stars may be studied through specialist archives, including Ratisbon’s Militaria, which illustrates original marked examples of this decoration.
The reverse displays all the characteristics expected of an original Godet manufacture.
Features include:
The reverse also retains attractive age patination throughout, together with minor oxidation around the soldered fittings that is entirely consistent with an untouched period example.
This German Eagle Order Breast Star with Swords remains in excellent original condition.
The white enamel retains an attractive gloss with no immediately visible repairs. Meanwhile, the silver starburst has developed an even natural patina across both obverse and reverse.
The gilt finish remains well preserved, while the darkened eagles exhibit the pleasing age toning expected of original untouched examples.
The original pin assembly remains complete and fully functional.
Recorded weight:
51.42 grams
This closely matches documented examples recorded in specialist literature and museum collections.
Several important features support the originality of this breast star.
These include:
Taken together, these characteristics are entirely consistent with a period-produced Gebrüder Godet example.
The German Eagle Order Breast Star with Swords occupies an important place within the history of German diplomatic decorations.
Senior grades of the order were presented to high-ranking foreign military commanders, ambassadors, ministers and prominent political figures.
Recipients wore both a neck badge and the breast star, forming a complete insignia set.
The Australian War Memorial illustrates the corresponding neck decoration and confirms that the senior classes comprised both components.
Further reading:
Australian War Memorial – Order of the German Eagle Neck Badge
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C146660
Original Godet-manufactured breast stars are considerably scarcer than the lower classes of the German Eagle Order.
Examples retaining:
are increasingly difficult to obtain.
The survival of an identifiable 900 / 21 Godet example makes this decoration especially desirable for advanced collectors of German orders and diplomatic awards.
To preserve originality, the breast star should never be polished.
Instead:
The existing oxidation forms part of the decoration’s historical integrity.
Object: German Eagle Order Breast Star with Swords
German Title: Bruststern zum Verdienstkreuz des Ordens vom Deutschen Adler mit Schwertern
Manufacturer: Gebrüder Godet & Co., Berlin
Manufacturer Code: 21
Silver Standard: 900
Materials: 900 silver, gilt metal and fired vitreous enamel
Construction: Multi-piece die-struck construction
Weight: 51.42 grams
Period: Circa 1939–1945
Condition: Excellent original condition with attractive untouched patina
Authenticity: Consistent with an original period-produced Godet example
This object represents a historical artefact from the period of National Socialist Germany. It is presented solely for the purposes of academic study, preservation and collecting. Its inclusion in this catalogue does not imply endorsement of the regime or the ideology it represented.
The German Eagle Order Breast Star with Swords is represented in several leading museum collections and specialist reference archives.
For an institutional overview of the order, its establishment in 1937, the introduction of swords in 1939, and its restructuring in 1943, consult the Australian War Memorial:
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C146658
For information on the corresponding neck decoration worn with the breast star by recipients of the senior classes, see:
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C146660
These museum and scholarly resources provide valuable comparative material on original construction, manufacturing characteristics, historical context and the evolution of the Order of the German Eagle.
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