Order of Franz Joseph

Imperial Austrian Franz Joseph Order
100px
Insignia of the order: Commander's Cross (top), breast star (bottom)
Awarded by Emperor of Austria
Type	Order
Status	Abolished
	Emperor of Austria
Grades (w/ post-nominals)	Five
Established	December 2, 1849
First induction	1849
Last induction	1918
Ribbon of the order

The Imperial Austrian Franz Joseph Order (Kaiserlich-Österreichischer Franz-Joseph-Orden) was founded by the Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria on December 2, 1849, on the first anniversary of his accession to the imperial throne.

Classes

The order was originally awarded in three classes: Grand Cross, Commander's Cross, and Knight's Cross. In 1869, the class of Commander with Star was added, which ranked immediately below the Grand Cross. The Officer's Cross, which ranked between Commander and Knight, was introduced on February 1, 1901.

The order ceased to exist with the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. It was not re-established with the foundation of the Republic of Austria.

Ribbon bars
100px Grand Cross	100px Commander with Star (1869)	100px Commander	100px Officer (1901)	Knight

Description

Knights wore the decoration suspended from a triangular ribbon on the left breast. Officers wore it on the left breast without a ribbon. Commanders wore the decoration at the neck, as did Commander with Star, who in addition also wore a breast star. The Grand Cross was worn suspended from the shoulder and also came with a breast star. The ribbon of all classes of the order was plain red.

In common with the other Austro-Hungarian awards of the period, the Franz Joseph Order was further distinguished with the addition of the War decoration and Swords which could be awarded for military merit. However, if soldiers were honoured, it was usually for distinguished service as opposed to gallantry in the face of the enemy.

Notable recipients

• Anton Bruckner
• Philipp Sarlay
• Émile Baudot, and
• Abraham Salomon Camondo.

External links

Media related to at Wikimedia Commons