utopis

I see. had some doubts about it, anyways

+ Nevsky Interesting that he added treasure but not rs

I thought we had established that the early pieces were marked while the later/war period pieces were unmarked ?

yep I think so too

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Order-Rising-Sun-Grand-Cross-Star-Medal-Pin-Military-Award-Japan-/291230250199?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ceacf4d7 sacred paulownian treasure?

Well, I know you're going to do it for me

Now they have done it. They just couldn't stop fiddling around with those Paulownias. Now they have created the greatest abomination of them all. I present to you the Paul-Chrysanth-ownia http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u68718345

That's what's called a "hag"

Obviously!

The cheaper I buy them the more I get

Well at current conversion rate that would be 16.5K € Last November here in Germany an only sash badge chris sold for 6.5K € on auction So you can get it for a better price

Like prices are ever state in € $$$ of course

22K for badge only

It really is Just shows you how rare they are But I bet you didn't know about M More like never forgets anything Not mine, though (my pictures usually have a black background ). Just thought I'd share this rare sight. Seller asks an excessive price

In all it's glory

+ There's a bird sitting on the flower Swan mark - French import hallmark

Just your usual 'M' mark passing through. Nothing special about it - or is it?

Now you've got to tell the story behind this piece

Do you have any evidence for that? Enamel is one of the most UV resistant substances. The color will never fade. But if you are right and the UV radiation is responsible for the 'corrosion' that will only be the case if the enamel was polluted in the first place. As far as I know the reason for the 'corrosion' is an impure enamel powder + a prolonged stay in a moist environment. + Of course after centuries or millennia even well made glass (and enamel is not much different than that) will 'corrode' when exposed to the elements (cf. glass made during the medieval or ancient times)

Yes, over the time we have seen several pillars with enamel rot. Seems there was a problem during the manufacture of these.

That's what I love about Japanese medal bars. If you see an (authentic) bar with tons of medals but not a single order it does not mean that these are "soldier's" awards. On the very contrary!

post #18! There's nothing I love more than stylized enamel ribbons!

That is of course a real exotic sighting, too. Though I wonder whats with the positioning of the médaille militaire?

Wow! Pay special attention to the incredibly rare Montenegrin Order of St. Peter