SINCONA Auction 67

Description

Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid] - Order of the Imperial Effigy [Nishan-i-Temtal-i-Amur ut-Mumenin e Humayun]. 3rd model (1848-1939), Order of the Imperial Effigy diamond badge (since 1848) with the portrait of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (1831-1896, reigned since 1848), 118.0 x 54.7 mm, gold, centre with enamels and finest enamel painting, set with about 216 diamond roses and shards of various size (checked!), one missing, without neck ribbon. 63.5 g. BWK3 75.
Äusserst selten / Extremely rare. Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 23’365/USD 27’475)
Shortly after his accession to the throne, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (1831-1896, reigned since 1848) gave out the order to edit new statutes of the order, that were published the same year AH 1264 [AD 1848]. The most important element was that all insignia of the order should no longer contain precious stones, but should consist of silver brillanté instead of the former stones. The existing system was enlarged to nine grades in total: the 1st to 7th grade (Nouyane, Amir Toumane, Amir Pendji, Sertib, Sèrhèngue, Yawer and Soltane) divided into three classes, the 8th grade (Nayeeb) into six classes and the 9th grade (Wekil) into five classes (2nd model), in general following the previous system. Also here the classes were indicated by the number of circles around the centre. The 1st to 5th grade had also a full sash ribbon. The civil and the military division diferred from one another as before in the position of the lion in the centre. As the highest type of badge, a diamond studded neck decoration showing the Imperial Effigy (Order of the Imperial Effigy [Nishan-i-Temtal-i-Amur ut-Mumenin e Humayun]) was introduced.
For foreigners too, a special system was introduced, showing the resting lion in front of the sun in the centre. The different classes of the order were as follows:
As highest class, the badge with the Imperial Effigy was reserved to the foreign sovereigns.
The 1st class consisted of an eight-ray (first edition), later six-tip sash badge, initially worn with a dark blue, shortly later with a dark green sash, to be worn with an eight-ray breast star.
The 2nd class consisted of a seven-tip breast star with small stars between the rays (1st edition), later without small stars between the rays (2nd edition). It seems that there was no further decoration.
The 3rd class consisted of a six-tip neck decoration, to be worn with a dark green neck ribbon.
The 4th class consisted of a five-tip star, initially worn as a breast star (1st edition), shortly later as a neck decoration surmounted by an agraffe, to be worn with a dark green neck ribbon (2nd edition); and later again to be worn as a breast decoration with a dark green breast ribbon with applied rosette.
The 5th class consisted initially of a four-tip star (1st edition), later of a five-tip star without surmounting agraffe (2nd edition), both editions to be worn with a dark green breast ribbon.
The 6th class consisted of an enamelled medal (?).
The 7th class consisted of a gold medal.
As lowest degree there existed a silver medal without class indication.
Again during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar in the year AH 1278 [AD 1860] there was issued an amendment to the 1848 statutes, instituting the Order of The Most Sacred of Agdas [Nishan-i-Agdas], the Order of Most Sacred Qods [Nishan-i- Qods] and the Order of Sacred Moqaddas [Nishan-i-Moqaddas], as superior grades of the the Order of the Lion and the Sun. Initially all three consisted of breast stars only, studded with diamonds (1st edition). Later they were issued in silver brillanté (2nd edition). The Order of Sacred Moqaddas again later was issued as an enamelled badge, to be worn on a sash ribbon and together with a similar breast star.
With its numerous kinds of insignia, the Order of the Lion and the Sun with its highly sophisticated system therefore is one of the orders in the world with the most variations. At an unknown date in the beginning of the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi (1878-1944, reigned from 1925 until 1941) the Order of the Lion and the Sun was abolished. Between 1925 and 1939 he instituted the Order of the Light [Nishan-i-Homayoun] as a five-class (1st to 5th class) order for civil and military merit, as a successor of the abolished Order of the Lion and the Sun.