Original WWII German Mothers Cross in bronze 1939 – Mutterkreuz

Description

Original WWII German Mothers Cross in Bronze – Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter

This original WWII German Mother’s Cross in Bronze is an example of the Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter, 3. Stufe, one of the best-known civilian decorations created in Germany during the National Socialist period.

Commonly referred to by collectors as the Mutterkreuz, or Mother’s Cross, this example represents the Bronze Third Class and retains its characteristic blue and white ribbon.

The decoration was instituted on 16 December 1938. It existed in three grades: Bronze for mothers with four or five children, Silver for six or seven children, and Gold for eight or more. Qualification was also subject to ideological, racial and behavioural criteria imposed by the National Socialist state, making the award an important material document of the regime’s demographic and racial policies rather than simply a family decoration.

Bronze Third Class

INS21 is the Bronze grade, officially the third class of the award.

The Australian War Memorial preserves a documented Bronze Mother’s Cross with the same overall construction: bronze with an antique finish, blue and white enamel, elongated lower arm, radiating elements between the arms and the central inscription “DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER.”

The front of INS21 displays the characteristic elongated cross with translucent blue enamel panels surrounded by opaque white enamel borders.

Behind the cross is a bronze-toned radiating starburst.

At the centre is a circular medallion containing a black swastika on a white enamel ground, surrounded by the inscription:

DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER

meaning “To the German Mother.”

The blue enamel remains particularly attractive and provides a strong visual contrast against the white borders and naturally aged bronze-toned metal.

Second Pattern Reverse

An important identifying characteristic of INS21 is its reverse.

It bears the three-line inscription:

16
Dezember
1938

followed by a facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler.

This identifies the piece as the second reverse pattern, introduced from 1939. Earlier examples carried the phrase “Das Kind adelt die Mutter” instead of the date. Specialist documentation confirms that the dated reverse became the standard later form.

The signature on INS21 is therefore not an individually handwritten autograph. It is the standard facsimile incorporated into this award type.

Original Design and Construction

The design of the Mother’s Cross is attributed to Munich sculptor Franz Berberich. Surviving full-size Bronze examples are typically around 35–36 mm wide and approximately 45–46 mm high, although the exact dimensions of INS21 should be physically measured before entering a definitive technical measurement.

The decoration was manufactured by several approved makers. Importantly, specialist references note that full-size Mother’s Crosses were generally not maker-marked on the cross itself. Manufacturer attribution is normally possible only when the original presentation packet or case survives with a maker’s name.

For that reason, no specific manufacturer is attributed to INS21.

Blue and White Ribbon

The cross retains a length of the characteristic blue and white Mother’s Cross ribbon.

The ribbon configuration matches documented museum examples. The Australian War Memorial describes the suspension ribbon as blue with white stripes toward each edge.

On INS21 the textile shows clear evidence of historical use and age. There is visible fraying, wear around the lower folded area and older fastening or stitching elements.

These features have been left untouched and form part of the object’s historical appearance.

Historical Context

The Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter was not simply a neutral award for motherhood. It formed part of a wider National Socialist population programme that attempted to encourage larger families considered racially acceptable according to the discriminatory ideology and legislation of the regime.

The first public presentations took place on Mother’s Day, 21 May 1939, after the award had been established in December 1938.

For the modern collector, this makes the Mutterkreuz an informative example of how medals, symbolism and state honours were used as tools of social and ideological policy in twentieth-century Germany.

Condition

INS21 presents in attractive original aged condition.

The blue and white enamel remains visually strong, with the principal decorative elements clearly preserved. There are small traces of age, surface wear and patination to the bronze-toned components.

The central swastika and DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER inscription remain clearly defined.

The reverse inscription 16 Dezember 1938 and the factory-applied facsimile signature remain highly legible.

The ribbon displays significantly more wear than the cross itself, including age toning, fraying, loose fibres and evidence of previous fastening or stitching.

No restoration or aggressive cleaning is claimed.

The photographs form an integral part of the condition description.

Collector Interest

Original Mother’s Crosses remain popular with collectors of German civilian decorations, WWII medals, enamel awards and historically significant objects connected with the social history of the Third Reich.

INS21 is particularly attractive because it combines:

• Bronze 3rd Class configuration
• desirable second-pattern reverse
• strong blue and white enamel
• complete central medallion
• clearly legible dated reverse
• surviving blue-white ribbon
• strong period patina and visible signs of use

AUTHENTICITY

Authenticity guaranteed by Autographs & Militaria.

The design, Bronze classification, enamel configuration, dated second-pattern reverse and ribbon correspond with documented original examples preserved in museum collections and specialist references.

HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY NOTICE

This historical object is offered exclusively for collecting, historical research, documentation and educational purposes.

Autographs & Militaria does not support, promote or express sympathy for National Socialism, racial discrimination, totalitarian ideology or the policies represented by this historical decoration.