SINCONA Auktion 67

Beschreibung

Scientific Merit Award [Nishan-i-Ilmi]. 1st-class badge, breast decoration type, French manufacturing, 800/000 silver gilt and enamels, on the bowl’s loop French warranty mark for 800/000 silver since 1838 (boar’s head), with green ribbon. BWK3 71.
Sehr selten / Very rare. Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 185/USD 220)
It seems that the decoration is basing on a badge that was instituted in 1852 by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (1831-1896, reigned since 1848) as a reward for artistic and scientific merit for those who had achieved success in their studies at the recently founded Polytechnic College of Teheran. According to Younessi (in YOU p. 357) the three-class (1st to 3rd class with an annexed two-class - silver and bronze -medal) decoration was instituted by Item 16 of Rule 12 of the High Council of Education By-Laws, dated March 11, 1922, in the reign of Ahmad Shah Qajar (1898-1930, reigned from 1909 until 1925). The first class exists as breast badge with red or green breast ribbon, but also as neck decoration. The 1st-class award was also given to some foreign artists and scientist for services rendered to the Empire. Unfortunately, there is no evidence for the different colors of the ribbons. It seems to have been conferred until 1950. By law 315/7 dated September 3, 1950, approved by the Prime Minister Haj Ali Razmara (1901-1951, Prime Minister since 1950) and his Ministerial Cabinet in the 8th session of the Parlamentary Deputies on August 30, 1950, the award was replaced by a new system of awards for merit in arts, culture and education.