Catalog - SINCONA Auction 67

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Order of Glory [Nishan-i-Iftekhar]. Officer’s decoration, silver gilt and enamels, damages in the blue and white enamels, with wrong ribbon without rosette. BWK 273.
Sehr selten / Very rare. Gutes schön / Good fine.
(~€ 280/USD 330)
The original three-class (1st to 3rd class) order for civil and military merit was established before 1899 by Sir Jagatjit Singh Sahib Bahadur GCSI GCIE GBE (1872-1949, reigned from 1877/1890 until 1911 as Raja, then as Maharaja until 1947), Maharaja of Kapurthala (today the district of Karpurthala in the Federal State of Punjab in the North of India). From an unknown date on there also was created an officer’s decoration. It is not known whether the order is still awarded as a family order or if the bestowals ended with the abolition of monarchy in India in 1947.

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Order of the Star of Africa. Knight Commander’s set of insignia, manufacturing of A. Chobillon in Paris, consisting of: neck badge, 900/000 silver gilt and enamels, three tips of the rays slightly bent, five with min. enamel chipping, on the ribbon ring manufacturer’s and silver mark, with original conditioned neck ribbon, and breast star, silver gilt and enamels, with pin, this with manufacturer’s and silver mark, as well on the pin hook, with two lateral fixing hooks. BWK3 17, 18.
Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine. (2)
(~€ 185/USD 220)
• Dieses Los unterliegt bei Auslieferung in der Schweiz der Margenbesteuerung gemäss MWSTG 24a (22.5% Aufgeld inkl. Gesetzlicher Mehrwertsteuer)
• When delivered in Switzerland, this lot is subject to the margin taxation scheme in accordance with article 24a of the Federal Act on Value Added Tax (22.5% buyer’s premium incl. Statutory VAT).
The six-class (originally five-class) order (Collar, Grand Cordon, Knight Commander, Commander, Officer and Knight) for civil merit in Liberian or African affairs was instituted in 1920. Its design probably followed the insignia of the Royal Portuguese Order of the Conception of Our Lady of Vila Viçosa.

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The Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Kelantan or of the Star of Muhammad [Darjah Kebesaran Mahkota Kelantan Yang Amat Mulia / Bintang Al-Muhammadi]. Grand commander’s [Dato’ Sri Paduka - S.P.M.K.] set of insignia, manufacturing of Mariwasa Kraftangan SDN BHD in Kuala Lumpur, consisting of: collar of the order, with 28 links, silver gilt and enamels, 316 g, badge of the order, 925/000 silver partly gilt, and enamels, 59.9 g, on the reverse manufacturer’s and silver mark „925“, and breast star, 925/000 silver brillanté, partly gilt, and enamels, 116.4 g, on the reverse manufacturer’s and silver mark „925“, with pin, in its original case of Mariwasa with golden imprinted coat of arms of the sultanate and name of the order.
Äusserst selten / Extremely rare. Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine. (4)
(~€ 9’345/USD 10’990)
The originally three-class (grand commander, commander and member, with associated decoration of the Crown of Kelantan) order for civil merit was instituted in 1916 by Sultan Muhammad IV Ibni Sultan Muhammad, Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of the Sultanate of Kelantan (1870-1920, reigned since 1900). The grand commander’s class [Dato’ Sri Paduka - S.P.M.K.] is limited to fifty holders, but as am matter of fact, much less have been awarded.

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The Illustrous Order of Kinabalu [Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Kinabalu]. Probably 1st model, collar for the Grand Commanders of the Order [Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu - S.P.D.K.], consisting of eight flag links and five symbol links, manufacturing by B. P. de Silva in Singapore and Penang, 750/000 gold (18 K) and enamels, on the reverse of 12 links hallmarks „18K“, with order’s badge, 750/000 gold (18 K), with probably silver centre with gold letters and probably a paste stone showing an volcano island, on the reverse two hallmarks „18K“ and number „3“, total weight 425.9 g, in its original golden imprinted case of de Silva. Together with the State of Sabah Government Gazette dated September 16, 1974, stating conferings of several grades of the order.
Äusserst selten / Extremely rare. Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 14’020/USD 16’485)
The four-class (Grand Commander [Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu], Commander [Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu - P.G.D.K.], Companion [Ahli Setia Darjah Kinabalu - A.S.D.K.] and Member [Ahli Darjah Kinabalu - A.D.K.]) order for meritorious service to the State of Sabah wasn instituted by the Sultanate of Sabah „State Honours Enactment 1963 Section 3 (a) in 1963. It is conferred by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri [Governor General - ceremonial head of state] of Sabah. It seems, that in an unknown year the design of the insignia was changed.

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Order of the Sun and the Lion Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 2nd model (1834-1848), 3rd grade (Sertib), fist class set of insignia for military holders (with crowned standing lion with a sabre), consisting of: sash decoration, silver brillanté, centre gold and enamels, with enamel painting, without sash ribbon, and breast star, with three rings round of the centre, silver brillanté, centre gold and enamels, with enamel painting, with pin.
Von grösster Seltenheit / Of the highest rarity. Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine. (2)
(~€ 9’345/USD 10’990)
In the year AH 1223 [AD 1808] Fath-Ali Shah Qajar (1772-1834, reigned since 1897) instituted the Order of the Lion and the Sun [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. Initially, it was intended to reward foreigners only for merits they had rendered to the empire. As it seems that the statutes of this order did not survive - if they have ever existed - little is known about classes and organisation. According to Mulder (in MEP p. 11) from 1808 until 1814 there existed perhaps only three classes (1st model). A certain system in the widely varying badges and stars is difficult to reconstruct, but there existed collars, sash and neck badges and breast stars, all set with precious stones and pearls. Probably the number of classes was enlarged in about 1820.
During the reign of Mohammad Shah Qajar (1808-1848, reigned since 1834), in the year AH 1252 [AD 1834] there were issued detailed statutes for the order, that probably now also opened it to Persians, establishing a highly sophisticated system of eight grades, the 1st to 6th grade (Nouyane, Amir Toumane, Sertib, Sèrhèngue, Yawer and Soltane) divided into three classes, the 7th grade (Nayeeb) into six classes and the 8th grade (Wekil) into five classes (2nd model). The classes were indicated by the number of circles around the centre. In the 1st to 6th grades the decorations were set with more or less precious stones, mostly diamonds. The 1st to 4th grade had also a full sash ribbon. These statutes also fixed the civil (with a resting lion in front of the sun) and the military (with a standing lion with a ”naked” sabre in front of the sun) division. This difference in the lions had existed already earlier in the 1st model, but it is not known if it indicated a civil and a military division. This highly sophisticated system led as a matter of fact to a very numerous variety of insignia.

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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.

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid] - The Most Sacred Order (of Aqdas) [Nishan-e Aqdas]. 3rd model (1848-1939), The Most Sacred Order (of Aqdas) [Nishan-e Aqdas], order’s badge for military persons (with crowned, standing lion and sabre), probably Persian manufacturing, 142.1 x 83.9 mm, silver, centre gold and enamels, with enamel painting, set mostly à jour with 258 old cut paste stones, left suspension ring broken, on the reverse marked „M.A“, without sash ribbon.
Von grösster Seltenheit / Of the highest rarity. Fast vorzüglich / About extremely fine.
(~€ 28’035/USD 32’965)
During the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (1831-1896, reigned since 1848) in the year AH 1278 [AD 1860], there was issued an amendment to the 1848 statutes of the Order of the Lion and the Sun [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid], instituting The Most Sacred Ordrer (of Aqdas) [Nishan-i-Aqdas], The Very Sacred Order (of Qods) [Nishan-i-Qods] and The Sacred Order (of Moqaddas) [Nishan-i-Moqaddas], as superior grades of the Order of the Lion and the Sun. Initially, all three consisted of breast stars only, studded with diamonds (1st edition). From an unknown date the orders were also issued with badges to be worn on a sash ribbon. Later they were issued (2nd edition) in silver brillanté (for the Order of Agdas and the Order of Qods) or with enamels for the Order of Moqaddas.

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid] - Order of Moqaddas [Nishan-i-Moqaddas]. 3rd model (1848-1939), Order of Moqaddas (since 1860), probably 2nd edition, grand cordon set (-1925), unidentified French manufacturing, consisting of: order’s badge, diam. 60.1 mm, silver gilt and enamels, enamel repairs on about seven and slight hairline cracks on some further ray tips, with original light blue conditioned full sash ribbon, and breast star, diam. 72.1 mm, silver gilt and enamels, enamel repairs on five ray tips and some hairline cracks, surmounting crown broken away but present, the star rays on the reverse fixed with 12 hollow rivets, with pin, this with unidentificable manufacturing mark, with two lateral fixing hooks. BWK3 78 var.
Äusserst selten / Extremely rare. Sehr schön / Very fine. (2)
(~€ 11’215/USD 13’185)
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 of the Order of the Lion and the Sun [Înishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid], instituting The Most Sacred Ordrer (of Aqdas) [Nishan-i-Aqdas], The Very Sacred Order (of Qods) [Nishan-i-Qods] and The Sacred Order (of 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.

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 3rd model (1848-1939), division for (civil and) foreign persons (with resting lion), 1st-class set (for foreigners) of Russian manufacturing probably by Christian Friedrich Höppner in St. Petersburg, consisting of eight-ray 1st-class sash badge with stones, silver, centre with gold ring, enamels and finest enamel painting, the centre partly embossed, set à jour with numerous white paste stones of various size, with unconditioned but worn neck ribbon cut, and eight-ray 1st-class breast star, diam. 78.7 mm, 875/000 silver, centre gold, partly engraved and ciselé, and enamels, with fine enamel painting, with one hairline crack, on the reverse Russian mark „84“ for 84 zolotnik, masters mark „F.H“ and unidentified mark, with pin, this with mark „Keibel“, court supplier mark from 1840 until 1917 and St. Petersburg city mark until 1898, in its original, slightly damaged and rubbed case. BWK3 62 var., 63 var.
Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 14’020/USD 16’485)
According to Tamman (in TRP page 6), the mark „F.H“ among others could have belonged to Christian Friedrich Höppner, who was working in St. Petersburg from 1836 until 1875.

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 3rd model (1848-1939), division for (civil and) foreign persons (with resting lion), 1st-class, 2nd-edition (six-ray) sash badge (for foreigners), with two rings around the centre, probable Iranian manufacturing, silver brillanté and repercé, centre with enamels and enamel painting, with only four of originally six attached rays in gold and enamels, all four damaged, with conditioned and worn light green sash ribbon, attached upside down. BWK3 62.
Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 235/USD 275)

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 3rd model (1848-1939), division for (civil and) foreign persons (with resting lion), original old conditioned full sash ribbon for foreigners (without badge) for a 1st-class (six-ray) sash badge.
Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 45/USD 55)

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 3rd model (1848-1939), division for (civil and) foreign persons (with resting lion), 1st-class (eight-ray) breast star (for foreigners) with stones, Russian manufacturing, diam. 85.2 mm, 875/000 silver, centre with enamels and finest enamel painting, set à jour with numerous white and coloured paste stones, one tip slightly bent, about three stones lost, with pin, this with Russian mark „84“ for 84 zolotnik. BWK3 63 var.
Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 4’675/USD 5’495)
The star needs to be cleaned.

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 3rd model (1848-1939), division for (civil and) foreign persons (with resting lion), 1st-class (eight-ray) breast star (for foreigners), edition with „AH 1233“ [AD 1863/1864] in the centre ring, probably European manufacturing, 79.1 x 79.3 mm, on the reverse gilt, silver, reverse gilt, centre gold and enamels, with enamel painting, with eight attached rays in gold and red enamels, with pin.
Äusserst selten / Extremely rare. Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 11’215/USD 13’185)
On the basis of the year specification „AH 1233“ [AD 1863/1864] it is possible to date this extremely rare breast star type to the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (1831-1896, reigned since 1848).

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 3rd model (1848-1939), division for (civil and) foreign persons (with resting lion), miniature of a 1st-class (eight-ray) breast star (for foreigners) with two circles, European manufacturing, diam. 19.2 mm, silver, centre with enamels and finest enamel painting, without ring for the miniature chain.
Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 45/USD 55)

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. Simple modern manufacturing of an eight-ray breast star with resting lion, diam. 69.3 mm, white metal silvered, partly gilt, and enamels, enamel painting, with white paste stones surrounding the centre, with pin.
Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 45/USD 55)

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 3rd model (1848-1939), division for civil and foreign persons (with resting lion), probably 2nd-grade (Amir Toumane), 2nd-class (for Iranians) resp. 2nd-class (for foreigners) breast star (with seven rays) with two rings around the centre, 2nd edition (without small stars between the rays), probably Iranian manufacturing, diam. 71.7 mm, silver brillanté, domed, centre with enamels and enamel painting, with seven attached rays in silver and enamels, one with chipping, with pin. BWK3 65.
Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 280/USD 330)

4

Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 3rd model (1848-1939), division for civil and foreign persons (with resting lion), probably 2nd-grade (Amir Toumane), 3rd-class set, manufacturing by Arthus-Bertrand, consisting of: sash badge, silver gilt and enamels, enamel painting, the applications fixed with 12 hollow rivets, with its full conditioned green and white sash ribbon, and breast star, silver brillanté, partly gilt, and enamels, the applications fixed with 18 hollow rivets, with pin and two lateral fixing hooks, in its original golden imprinted case of Arthus-Bertrand.
Äusserst selten / Extremely rare. Fast vorzüglich / About extremely fine. (2)
(~€ 935/USD 1’100)

This rare set was sold in the auction of Thierry de Maigret on April 27, 2017, at Druot in Paris, cat. no. 147, together with other memorabilia of Prince Samad Khan Momtaz os-Saltaneh, to whom this set was conferred in the first quarter of the 20th century.
Samad Khan Momtaz os-Saltaneh [ صمد خان ممتاز السطنه] (1869-1954) was was an Iranian diplomat of the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasty era. Originating from Tabriz from an Azeri (Azerbaijani) family. His father Ali Akbar Mokrem os-Saltaneh was an eminent aristocrat and diplomat. In 1883 Samad Khan became secretary of the Persian legation in Paris, and from 1899 to 1900 he was a counselor in the Persian embassy in Sankt Petersburg. He was the Persian minister in Belgium and the Netherlands before being appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Minister in Paris in April 1905. He remained at this position until March 1926. In March 1921 by Ahmad Shah Qajar [احمد شاه قاجار] ((1898-1930), reigned from 1909 until 1925) he was elevated to the dignity of Prince with the style Royal Highness. Very wealthy, he never returned to Iran and chose to live in Paris. He was recognized by the French government as counselor of the Iranian embassy in Paris from March, 25, 1946 to September, 27, 1951.
At the conference of the International Red Cross of Algeciras (Spain) from January 16 until April 7, 1906, Momtaz os-Saltaneh convinced the assembly to accept the use of new emblems for the Persian Red Cross Society, the red lion and sun (not any more used since 1975), now named Persian Society of the Red Lion and Sun, and the red crescent for the other islamic states, furtheron named Red Crescent Societies. He also was the second Persian IOC (International Olympic Committee) Member.
Besides many other orders of chivalry, decorations and medals, he also was a holder of the Order of the Imperial Effigy [Nishan-i-Temtal-i-Amur ut-Mumenin e Humayun], of the Order of the Sun and the Lion [ خورشید شیر و - Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid] with the portrait of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (1831-1896, reigned since 1848), of the Order of the Sun and the Lion [ خورشید شیر و - Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid] 3rd grade Amir Pendji 1st class, of the 1st class for non-christians of the Russian Imperial and Royal Order of St. Stanislas [Имперáторский и королéвский орден Святого Станислава], of the 1st class of the Order of the Star of the Most Noble House Buchara [О́рден Благоро́дной Бухары́], of the Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Franz Joseph [Kaiserlich Österreichischer Franz Joseph-Orden] and a Grand Officer of the French National Order of Honour [Grand officier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d'honneur].
His first marriage, to an Iranian, resulted in a son, Abdollah, who would later become a diplomat in Iran. He had two daughters from a second marriage to a Frenchwoman. He died in 1954 at the age of 84 in Paris and was buried at Père-Lachaise cemetery.

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 3rd model (1848-1939), division for (civil and) foreign persons (with resting lion), 3rd-class (six-ray) badge (for foreigners) with diamonds, Iranian manufacturing, diam. 77.2 mm, silver, partly gold-plated, centre with enamels and enamel painting, set with about 243 diamond roses and shards of various size (checked!), two missing, and 18 emeralds, 71.3 g, without neck ribbon. BWK3 66 var.
Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 10’280/USD 12’090)

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Order of the Sun and the Lion [Nishan-i-Schir-u-Khorschid]. 3rd model (1848-1939), division for civil and foreign persons (with resting lion), probably 5th-grade (Sèrhèngue), 2nd-class (for Iranians) resp. 3rd-class (for foreigners) neck badge (with six rays) with two rings around the centre, probably European manufacturing, silver brillanté and repercé, centre with enamels and enamel painting, with slight enamel cracks, with six attached rays in gold and enamels, two of them heavily chipped, without ribbon. BWK3 66.
Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 185/USD 220)