Order "Polonia Restituta".

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Order of Poland Restored (Polonia Restituta)
(Order Odrodzenia Polski)

This Order was instituted by act of Parliament of February 4th, 1921. Not as a chivalric order but conferred on Polish and foreign citizens for merit to the Polish Country and Nation in the field of art and science, industry, agriculture, politics, philantrophy, as well as for the acts of civilian bravery and self-sacrifice.
The Order was reintroduced in 1944 by a decree of the of the post-war (communist) government (PKWN - Polski Komitet Wyzwolenia Narodowego = Polish Committee of National Liberation). It was bestowed for the extraordinary merits in the fields of education, science, culture and arts, national economy, social activities and civil service and health protection services.
After WWII, it was also being awarded by five consecutive Presidents of the Polish Government-in-Exile. During the exile period this decoration was awarded by both Polish Governments (In Exile).
Until 1974, when the Order of Merit was established, it was also a "diplomatic" order awarded to foreign authorities on ceremonial occasions.

The order was conferred in five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Commander, Commander, Officer (est. 1922) and Member.

The Order is a white enameled gilt Maltese cross with ball finials.
In the cenral medallion is a white crowned eagle with regalia on a red background; the blue circle bears the Latin motto: POLONIA RESTITVTA (Poland Restored).
On the reverse the gilt arms are without enamel and the medallion bears the year 1918 on red background. The badges of Officer and Member are of a different size.

The Breast Star has eight sets of plain sliver rays. The Medallion has an entwined cipher RP (Rzeczpospolita Polska - Republic of Poland) and the order's motto in a blue circle around.
The star of Grand Commander was worn on the right breast.

The Order was changed in minor points in the People's Republic, the eagle had no crown and regalia; the year 1918 on reverse was replaced by 1944 (proclaiming Poland People's Republic).
The star of Grand Commander was worn on the left breast.

The ribbon is red with narrow white side stripes
Grand Cross - 100 mm, Sash.
Commanders - 42-45 mm, neck ribbon
Officer - 35-36 mm, rosette on the ribbon.
and Member - 35-36 mm.

Since 1990 Poland has instituted a new decoration known as The Order of Merit of the Polish Republic. This decoration is a five armed cross, not unlike the French Legion of Honour and currently awarded along similar criteria. the decoration is awarded in five classes (as for the Polonia Restituta) and the ribbon for this decoration is dark blue.

Here are the Member, Commander and Officer People's Republic versions of this Order.


Eddie.

Here is reverse photo of the above classes showing the date 1944 as in the peoples Republic variant.

Eddie.