Polonia Restituta, Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, 5th Class, with box, W. Gontarczyk

The Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (5th class) was established on February 4, 1921, as a decoration of the Second Polish Republic. It was awarded for outstanding service to the state and society. It took the form of a gilded cross with white enamel. The Sejm enacted the Order of Polonia Restituta in 1921. Initially, it had four classes, and the fifth (the Knight’s Cross) was added in April 1922. It was awarded to individuals of impeccable character for achievements in civil service, science, the arts, and community service. Unlike the higher classes (I, II, or III), which were reserved for prime ministers, generals, ministers, and ambassadors, the fifth class was a mass-awarded decoration. It recognized daily, long-term, dedicated work toward the reconstruction of Poland after more than a century of partition.

During the Second Polish Republic, the production of state orders and decorations was not centralized in a single state mint. The state issued official calls for bids, and the production of the Knight’s Crosses of the Order of Polonia Restituta was entrusted to private, elite engraving workshops in Warsaw. These workshops ensured exceptionally high craftsmanship, precision in enameling, and excellent fire gilding.