Mitya Ivanov

Tallinn Museum of the Orders of Knighthood (Estonia).

Thank you, the first thing I've done - read the motto with a help from my friends.

Of course the button is not Persian. Maybe - north-african or near-eastern, yes. The Legion d'Honneur is ROYAL here (i.e. pre-1871). Do not think this (the arms) is some European grant - but Europeans could take part in its design.

only identification of the orders can really help:)

The dexter one really looks like the Legion d'Honneur of the ROYAL France. The ribbon of the central order is green with borders(?), i.e. neither of the Medjidiyeh, nor of Osmaniyeh.

My friend says the motto is "Salvation is in Truth" or "Salvation through Truth." He also says the last letter of the word Salvation is written in a letter that indicates Ottoman Turkish, Farsi or some none Arabic speaker origin.

Dear friends, is it possible to identify these orders beneath the shield?

Dear friends, is it possible to identify these orders beneath the shield?

It was planned to be an enamel painting (miniature).

Michael Shelkovenko and me reconstructed the image of the first-grade star of the Order of Zolfaqar. It was designed 90 years ago but the 1st class star was never materialized: no-one ever was awarded with it, so no photos of the star ever existed. Our reconstruction is based on a couple of these poor presentations. Iranian Iconography of Imam Ali was also carefully studied.

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was the only recipient of the 2nd class star of the highest military award of the Empire of Iran - the Order of Zolfaqar. It is impossible to find any photos of this star. You can see it only on the photoportraits of the Shahanshah. My friend Michael Shelkovenko and me created this reconstruction for the book of my friend Dr. O. James Younessi about orders and medals of the Pahlavi era (to be published soon). Painting by Michael Shelkovenko. No copy-pastes, no photoshop, no corel, nothing. The artist's hand only:) Finished yesterday.

Yes: the same set - see posts ##22-24 of this topic.

Incredible: it looks like the set sold from Andreas Thies Auction some years ago.

Russian General Vasiliy Bebutov (1791-1858) with Effigy badge from Nasir-ud-Din Shah (received 1851; neck - partly under the huge white cross od St. George). The Lion'n'Sun star is the lowest one (Ist class, 1835).

The painted portrait of Mozaffar-ud-Din - as a Crown-Prince (not the Shah). Shahs never wore these effigy portraits with themselves or their passed fathers:)

No, we'd better learn new words and names:) General Yazdanpanah himself gave us a nice example: he spoke Russian.

Corps general Morteza Yazataepanach

He is YAZDANPANAH: the closest servant of both Pahlavi shahs. Aide-de-camp of both. Beholder of a very rare "3rd Esfand decoration". Many times war minister of Iran. Head of Coronation Committee 1967.

1959 group photo

Ardeshir Zahedi - Iranian diplomat and sometime Shah's son-in-law (Princess Shahnaz' husband). Foreign Minister and Ambassador to US. Boyfriend of Liz Taylor.

These versions with "rays 360-degrees" are the earliest versions of the order's badges: the sun has face there (he lost it officially before 1939. None of "5-rays" versions has face). One more proof: these 360-versions were put in OLD boxes: with Qajarian - and NOT PAHLAVI! - Imperial crowns (Arthus Berthrand utilised these old boxes in such a curious way). In fact the emblem in the 360-versions' medallions follows the sun on the Qajarian box (the design of this emblem - with face and full shining - belongs to Hugo Gerhard Stroehl, end of 19th century).

Absolutely. This unique badge of the 3rd class is at Saadabad Museum. Go-go-go, Nicky-my-pal! Hurry!!!

Sounds pretty convincing...

I am packing

Tehran, here I come!

Allahu Akbar! Khomeini Rahbar!

Reza Shah with the Orders of Zolfaqar third class (neck) and fourth class, Third Esfand Decoration (early type) and Sepah Order.

Order of the Crown of Iran collar and breast star of the same.

By the way, do we have any other photos of this chain "on the cavalier"?

On Reza Shah and Mohammad Hassan - but they are well-known.

And usually of a very low quality.

Mohammad Hassan (with collar) to the left of his brother - the Shah.

Future Emperor Reza (the tallest figure) stands behind them .

No-no-nо! Iran doesn't understand ladies' interest in gentlemen's interests. Not too much can be done by ladies there. So - it will be YOU who go to Tehran! (Not me 'cos I still have no appropriate papers to cross the border).

I think we must somehow check Saadabad Military Museum in Tehran. It has its own exposition of Imperial orders and medals (and also some artifacts linked with Reza Shah - since the whole Saadabad complex was an Imperial residence too). Maybe we'll find a collar of this kind (or exactly this collar) there?