Fer

Ordre de la Couronne de Fer (Order of the Iron Crown)
June 15, 1805 – 1815

photo Bruno Couwenberg

As king of Italy, Napoleon created an Italian order. He used the crown of the kings of Lombardy and stylised it to bring it more up to date. On top, pale blue enamel rays were added. The emperor is depicted with the head to the left and crowned with a green enamel laurel wreath. An imperial eagle tops everything off. The bottom scroll shows the phrase “Dieu me l’a donnée, gare à qui la touche” (God gave her to me, behold the one who touches her) or “A qui y touchera” (Behold the one who touches it).

Four types existed: two French ones and two Italian ones. The first type from each country has pointed rays; the second type ends in ball finials. The French model carries a French phrase; the Italian variant has an Italian phrase.
The ribbon is a yellowish salmon with Empire green borders. The base of the scroll is always in fretwork.

When Napoleon disappears, the Austrians, having re-conquered Lombardy, wish to maintain a number of traditions. They change the look of the honorary sign. The bicephalous eagle of the House of Habsburg is now used, together with a simplified Lombardian crown with white enamel pearls and motives in green and red enamel. The centre is not enamelled. The ribbon remains unchanged.