Austria-Hungary A never-introduced Cannon Cross, 1813

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

I think that it could be interesting to add the history of a well-known Austrian decoration from the Napoleonic wars with a relatively less known detail: the first model, prepared by the "Kammer-Medailleur" Harnisch of the famous "Metallenes Armeekreuz", also known as "Kanonenkreuz", or "Cannon Cross".

The piece described hereby, belonged to the von Heyden Collection, reported in his book "Ehren-Zeichen der erloschenen und bl?henden Staaten Deutschlands und Oesterreich-Ungarns", Meiningen, 1897 under nr. 1009, ?Kanonen-Kreuz pro 1813. Modell".

In 1898, when von Heyden let his collection be auctioned (?Sammlung v. Heyden. Ehrenzeichen ? Deutschlands und Oesterreichs-Ungarns. Versteigerung am 19. Oktober 1898", Adolph E. Cahn, Frankfurt), the piece appears as lot n. 860 ?Probe eines Kanonenkreuzes pro 1813. Bronze. Wohl Unicum.". After the auction, it entered in the Julius collection, then sold again when the Julius Collection was auctioned in 1959.

In the Gaettens auction catalogue (lot 3540), the piece was wrongly described as "Oesterreichisches Kanonenkreuz f?r H?here Offiziere?", while other details, such as the silvered laurel wreath and measures appear correctly reported.

This interesting decoration was also published from the late Prof. Fattovich in the n. 5 (1969) of the Bulletin of the Austrian Numismatic Society.

In the Austrian Army Museum should also exist an ancient copy (made of tin alloy) of the two sides of this cross, although I don't remember it on display.

The actual piece is made of a reddish bronze alloy and, examining it with a lupe, it clearly appears as being entirely chased by hand. The laurel leaves are sculpted with the utmost care and silvered.

The size of the cross is mm 42 x 39 (excluding the ribbon ring).

Best wishes,

Enzo

Edited May 5, 2008 by Elmar Lang

[Elmar Lang]

Reverse side:

[Ulsterman]

wow!!

[Yankee]

Reverse side:

Never seen one of these before. What a wonderfully detailed cross, perhaps a special presentation to a military commander or a prototype that never got off the ground. Thanks for the view.

Sincerely

Brian

[Yankee]

Prochazka states one being awarded to Prince Schwarzenberg in 45mm. The foto looks exacly like yours in every detail including loop & ring....

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

Prochazka ("Oesterreichisches Ordenshandbuch", 2nd edition, vol. 2, pages 61-62) describes the Kanonenkreuz under no. 312. It is the piece awarded to all the Austrian military involved in the "Befreiungskriege" against Napoleon.

No. 313 is the piece especially awarded to Karl, prince Schwarzenberg (the piece is on display at the Austrian Army Historical Museum in Vienna); the size is 50 x 45 mm., larger than the piece in this discussion.

No. 313a is the piece here shown. Prochazka thinks that it could have been a never introduced "Cannon Cross for higher-ranking officers". The author repeated in his book the mistake reported both in the first Julius auction Catalogue (Otto Helbing, M?nchen, 1926, page 280, lot 3620) and in the definitive one (M?nzhandlung R. Gaettens, Heidelberg: "Sammlung Julius - Franz?sische Revolution - Napoleon I. und seine Zeit... II. Teil 1809-1815" 14 - 16 September 1959, page 41, lot 3540. By the way, this lot, with an estimation of 40,- German Marks, was sold for 30,-...), where the cross was described with almost the same words then used by Prochazka.

It seems that he didn't pay attention to both v. Heyden's book and to his description in the catalogue where the collector put his decorations for sale (in the v. Heyden auction, 1898, the piece was sold for 20,- Reichsmark). Now, we see once more, what a wrong auction catalogue's description could do...

The fact that the piece is entirely hand-made and not struck, allows us to confirm the thought of other authors stating that it is the prototype of what -later- became the Kanonenkreuz. Noteworthy, the piece bears the year 1813 only, instead of the definitive 1813-1814.

I've forgot to mention that this piece was also studied -and published- by V?clav Měřička in the early '70s in a Czechoslovakian Numismatic bulletin (pages 23-31: "Zaj?mavosti o dělov?m Kř??i a občansk?m kř??i z let 1813 a 1814").

This cross, is an historical curiosity, and we should consider it under this point of view, besides its rarity (or uniqueness).

Best wishes,

Enzo

[Yankee]

Hello,

Prochazka ("Oesterreichisches Ordenshandbuch", 2nd edition, vol. 2, pages 61-62) describes the Kanonenkreuz under no. 312. It is the piece awarded to all the Austrian military involved in the "Befreiungskriege" against Napoleon.

No. 313 is the piece especially awarded to Karl, prince Schwarzenberg (the piece is on display at the Austrian Army Historical Museum in Vienna); the size is 50 x 45 mm., larger than the piece in this discussion.

No. 313a is the piece here shown. Prochazka thinks that it could have been a never introduced "Cannon Cross for higher-ranking officers". The author repeated in his book the mistake reported both in the first Julius auction Catalogue (Otto Helbing, M?nchen, 1926, page 280, lot 3620) and in the definitive one (M?nzhandlung R. Gaettens, Heidelberg: "Sammlung Julius - Franz?sische Revolution - Napoleon I. und seine Zeit... II. Teil 1809-1815" 14 - 16 September 1959, page 41, lot 3540. By the way, this lot, with an estimation of 40,- German Marks, was sold for 30,-...), where the cross was described with almost the same words then used by Prochazka.

It seems that he didn't pay attention to both v. Heyden's book and to his description in the catalogue where the collector put his decorations for sale (in the v. Heyden auction, 1898, the piece was sold for 20,- Reichsmark). Now, we see once more, what a wrong auction catalogue's description could do...

The fact that the piece is entirely hand-made and not struck, allows us to confirm the thought of other authors stating that it is the prototype of what -later- became the Kanonenkreuz. Noteworthy, the piece bears the year 1813 only, instead of the definitive 1813-1814.

I've forgot to mention that this piece was also studied -and published- by V?clav Měřička in the early '70s in a Czechoslovakian Numismatic bulletin (pages 23-31: "Zaj?mavosti o dělov?m Kř??i a občansk?m kř??i z let 1813 a 1814").

This cross, is an historical curiosity, and we should consider it under this point of view, besides its rarity (or uniqueness).

Best wishes,

Enzo

Hi Enzo

I didn't know there was a second edition, explains why I could not find any info on his first book. I missed that roman numeral around the first time , thanks for bringing it to my attention. Having the date 1813 only would signify that it was intended to have been awarded that year for the "wars of liberation" however the war extended into the following year and the cross was most likely shelved for that reason. Another possibility that it was going to be awarded that year ( 1813 ) and the intended high ranking recipient had already been killed prior receiving of decoration & again it was shelved. 20 reichmarks must be a kings ransom back then. Really neat piece of history

Sincerely

Brian

[Guest Rick Research]

So: how has its condition compared from 1897? Are you taking good care of it for 2119?

[Elmar Lang]

Pity there wasn't any description of the cross' condition in v. Heyden's auction catalogue; in the Julius one, the piece was described as "sehr sch?n"...

The same I could dare to say now, after the many years since it became part of my collection.

I hope I'll be in good shape and health, in 2119... but what's going to happen, then? An anniversary? The Final Judgement?...

Just asking, because I would like that nothing wrong would happen to my little Cannon Cross prototype!

Best wishes,

Enzo

[Guest Rick Research]

Awwww. I thought there were ILLUSTRATIONS of it from 1897-- and it would have been fascinating to see age on it since then. 2119 = just the same amount of time into the future as since 1897 (111 years). Imagine a piece with illustrations from 222 years apart!!!!

[Elmar Lang]

Well... I'm glad that the style of my pictures would have some "Victorian" taste!

Enzo