Bronze Mother’s Cross

Product Description: This bronze Mother’s Cross is a great example of this beautifully designed award. It’s a high quality piece, made of a brass alloy (Tombak). The metal retains virtually all of the original finish, with dark toning from age that gives it an appealing look. All of the original opaque white and translucent blue enamel is intact, with no chipping, and a nice, eye-catching gloss. The reverse of this bronze Mother’s Cross is typical- flat and smooth, with a facsimile Hitler signature and the date of institution of the award. This cross is complete with its original correct narrow blue and white neck ribbon. The ribbon is full length, and shows light age, with typical toning to the white fibers. This cross displays very well, and remains in outstanding, near mint condition.

Historical Description: The Nazi plans for the expansion of the German Reich required a robust and growing German population. To encourage this, the Nazis created a number of propaganda campaigns to encourage families to have more children. Beginning in 1934, Mother’s Day became an official holiday in Germany. In 1938, with preparations for war underway, Hitler created a special civil award for mothers in German families. The official name for this award was “Ehrenkreuz der deutschen Mutter” (Honor Cross of the German Mother” but it was often more simply referred to as the “Mutterkreuz,” or Mother’s Cross. The design of the cross was created by Franz Berberich, and it was made in three classes. To earn the lowest grade, in bronze, a mother had to have four children. Mothers of at least six children were awarded the silver grade, and the highest level, in gold, was awarded to mothers of eight or more children. The awards themselves were never maker marked. The bronze and silver grades were awarded in simple paper packets, while to gold award came in a presentation case. The back of the very first Mother’s Crosses, made in 1938 or early 1939, was inscribed “Das Kind adelt die Mutter” (The child ennobles the mother) and bore a facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler. Later versions featured a slightly different signature, and instead of a motto, were dated “16. Dezember 1938,” the date the award was instituted. The first awards of the Mother’s Cross took place on Mother’s Day in May 1939. The cross was worn on a neck ribbon, and a miniature version was also available. They were awarded until 1945.

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