Mitya Ivanov

Here's the original suspension: no carabiner, of course:

The last medal of Imperial Iran praises the 50th Anniversary of Pahlavi Dynasty with ribbon of the Order of Pahlavi. Its design follows the composition of the order's medallion seen both on badge and star. 1976.

The medal bears the name "Pahlavi" (above) and date 2535 (i.e. 1976).

"I was thinking about you..." - Come on, honey! I've already informed you about current exposition following the photoshots made for me by another beautiful lady who visited Niavaran a fortnight ago. What else?

You are welcome. A week ago this collar was not among the decorations exposed there. Irangohar site says that Reza wore Ahmad Shah's collar. I'm not sure - but maybe: http://irangohar.com/12.html

One of palaces at Niavaran Imperial residence complex (now museum) in Tehran. They change the number of items exposed in glass cases there from time to time (don't know why) so just now one cannot see this collar. If it is in a vault there now or somewhere else - I don't know.

Ahmad Shah, I think. Mohammad Hassan was expelled in 24 hours and I don't think he was allowed to take smth of this kind with him. Reza Shah's collar is at Sahebqaranieh now. Actually, I wish we know some more cavaliers - if they ever existed.

The Order itself was established in 1914 and had been preserved by Pahlavis after 1925 until the demolition of the monarchy in 1979.

Absolutely incredible. Only three persons are known to bear this kind of collar:

- Emperor Ahmad Shah, the last of Qajars,

- Crown-Prince Mohammad Hassan Mirza (Ahmad Shah's brother),

- Reza Shah, the first of Pahlavis (he used this collar until 1932).

Unlike the Qajarian practice the Crown Prince Mohammad Reza (future Emperor) had never recieved this collar from the reining Shah: only Grand Cordon - with sash and star (in use 1927/28-32).

Sepahbod (i.e. lieutenant general) Fazlollah Zahedi as Prime Minister in August 1953.

Left - with his son Ardeshir, right - with miniatures of his awards:

- Sash (with badge unseen) and star of the Order of Crown of Iran I class (reserved for Prime Ministers at least since 1938).

- Order of Zolfaqar IV class,

- Third Esfand Decoration, early version,

- Order of Sepah, probably III class,

- Order of Liaqat, ? class,

- Golden [sepah?] medal [with portrait of Reza Shah in 3/4), green ribbon.

The star of the Order of The Sun (Kingdom of Afghanistan) is also seen here - see the upper right photo.

Official portrait of Reza Shah Pahlavi made ca. 1933/34.

The badges seen here are:

- Star of the Order of Pahlavi,

- Order of Zolfaqar IV class (though Reza Shah was awarded - the only one in the history of this order - the third class too in 1925),

- Third Esfand Decoration, early version of course:)

- Order of Sepah, probably II class, bestowed on Reza Shah in 1924/25 (est. 1924).

The sash of the Order of Pahlavi looks inverted here due to this well-known photo-technological 'defect' which misrepresents certain pairs of colours (blue+yellow, green+red etc.)

Lions and Suns are on Reza Shah's shoulder marks here.

Official portrait of Mohammad Reza (MR) Pahlavi made not earlier than mid-December 1946 and, I believe, the end of spring 1947.

The badges seen here are:

- Collar and star of the Order of Pahlavi (est. 1932 to replace the Order of Crown of Iran as the highest Iranian (dynastical) Order),

- Order of Zolfaqar (Zolfaghar) IV class, bestowed on MR in December 1946 (founded 1922, approved by Imperial firman (decree) in 1925),

- Third Esfand Decoration (with Faravahar), early version, bestowed on MR, I guess, in February 1946 (est. ca. 1927-28),

- Order of Liaqat (Liaghat) ? class, bestowed on MR in 1938,

- Order of Iftiqar (Eftekhar) probably II class, bestowed on MR, I think, in 1945/46.

Lions the Crownbearers (official badge of Shahanshah since 1943 until 1979) are on MR's shoulder marks (epaulettes) here.

Oh, no: usually WE call them "стразы", but THEY do really speak - you won't believe! - FRENCH:)

Well, Nick-m'pal, in their catalogue they say the stones are "cristal taille" - i.e. not diamonds (otherwise they'd call it "diamonds":).

Hurrah-hurray:)

"Hope you are well my friend!" - Yes-yes-yesssss:)

Don't know why these guys at Legion d'Honneur Museum in Paris identify (and name) the second degree version of Order of the Sun as "Moon Class" (classe de la Lune).

There's no Moon there (see above)!

WHY?

Thanks, friends: I'll retranslate your words of appreciation to the Hermitage-girl who brought this catalogue for us.

Dmitry Yermakov of Tiflis and David Rostomyan of Baku (also a Photographer to HIM Shahanshah) also got their Lion'n'Suns - even earlier than Trunov and Mishchenko. Some photographers boasted golden Iranian medals with Lion and Sun - like Denis Butayev of Moscow.

Walker Brothers:) Nothing about lions:)

"The Sun ain't gonna shine anymo-o-o-o-ore..." (с)

:)

Since you have an e-mail - an undisputable sign of technical progress inside our Wild Russia! - I'll send you some pictures:)

_{Who knows, friend?}

_{Smth SPECIAL, I think.}

_{My interest in Iranian orders and symbolism is deeper than yours:)}

_...

_{If samovars decorated with Persian lions and suns grab you, BTW?}

Dear friends, the Lion and Sun here - on this paper napkin - of what class is it?

Incredible: the Sun has not even a hint of his/her usual face!

Look at this, Markus - more than a dozen of Persian and Ottoman orders from Topkapi: http://www.insecula.com/salle/MS03488.html

You can enlarge every image. Not bad.