Physical Description

A Maltese cross, the obverse arms are of blue enamel with gold borders. Within the quadrants between the arms are golden flames. The centre medallion bears a crowned Palatine lion rampant on a black enamel background, encompassed by a white enamel border with the inscription "MERENTI", finished with a bow at the bottom. The reverse center bears the cipher of Charles Theodore (CT) on a circular black enamel background, encompassed by a white enamel border with the inscription "INSTITU AN 1768", finished with a bow at the bottom. There is an ornate suspension and loop at the top of the cross.

History

The Order of the Lion of Bavaria was instituted on January 1, 1768 by Charles IV Theodore, Elector Palatine, for the occasion of his 25th reigning anniversary. It was originally called the Order of the Palatine Lion, after the Palatinate-Sulzbach branch of the Wittelsbach House, but after the Palatinate branch inherited the Duchy of Bavaria in 1778 the name was changed to the Order of the Lion of Bavaria.

The Order was awarded for both civil and military merit.
Many who sought to be knights of the Order of the Lion of Bavaria were also knights of the Order of St. Hubert. Recipients of the Order were also required to have served the elector house for 25 years.

The number of knights of the Order of the Lion of Bavaria was limited to 25, which included the head of the Order and the chancellor.

In 1808, Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria declared the order discontinued and it was no longer awarded.

The Order of Military Merit established in 1866 was influenced by the design of the Order of the Lion of Bavaria.