Dragomir

This is a most interesting document. I have located so far the scant information about two orders of this particular prae-Chacedon church> Order of St. Ignatius the Theophoros, and Order of St. Ephraim the Syrian. The first, apparently, has three classes, while the other one has two! Or I might be wrong.

But, there is a photo which puzzles me to no end. Perhaps someone has an idea what the diginfied Hierarch (Saint Ignatius Elias III)is wearing?

Dragomir

Owain,

Owain,

Thank you very much indeed

Yours,

Dragomir

Owain,

You are the King!

Dragomir

This one I don't recognize.

362645_izlozba-tito01rasfoto-dejan-zivancevic_f.jpg

This is Moroccan Order of Mohammadi Collar

Dragomir

Owain,

Can you perhaps help with another inscription. This time it is Arabic text in the medallion ring of the Antiochian Order of St. John the Chrrysostome?

All the best,

Dragomir

Owain,

Thank you so much for the information. I was trying to read the inscription, but my Arabic is less than meager. There are several types of this star, but the unsolved problem for me is the period in which this type of insignia was awarded, because more standard type has obverse of the Badge of the Order superimposed upon the star.

Best to you,

Dragomir

Gentlemen,

Can someone help with the translation of the Arabic inscription upon the star of the Order of St.Peter and St. Paul of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch.

Thanks in advance.

Dragomir

Yes! It is the Order of the Union of Burma, 1st Class.

D.A.

Absolutely stunning item and a jewel of a story. My sincere compliments.

Dragomir

As a matter of fact, Heydrich was Grand Cross of St. Sava, and it is not a neck badge. Following the German practice, once the war was declared by Germany to any country, the awards of that country were no more worn or displayed.

Dragomir

The inscription in the obverse (the white enameled book) is in Church-Slavonic and reads: I know of your endeavours, you have laboured for the sake of my Name.

Dragomir

Gentlemen,

I would like to point to you that the number "2" inscribed upon the document does not refer to the serial number of the award of Order of Cross of Takovo, but to the fact that it was the second award made since the beginning of the year 1888 in the Chancery of Royal Orders.

Dragomir

Gentlemen,

The text clearly states that Emin Bey is The Chamberlain of the Sultan of Turkey.

Dragomir

Dragomir,

Thank you for the correction! I know that Sultan Mehmed's order was made by Bertrand so I assumed that this piece, although different, was the product of the same workshop. Could you maybe answer Paul's question regarding the dimensions?

These images were made by Dejan Ilić Unuče so all the credit goes to him.

I am not sure where is the order at this moment. I read in one article that it is returned to Karađorđevićs. But there was also information that it was just given for the ceremony when earthly remains of the Queen Marija were transferred from England to Serbia last year. Perhaps Dragomir can give us more information on this matter.

Paja and Paul,

I shall try to oblige!

1. Holders of the Grand Star with brilliants were, as far as I know, four: Queen Marie, Emperor Nicholas II of Russia, Sultan Mehmed V and his Crown Prince Mehmed Ziyaeddin. Two Turkish sets were made by Bertrand, and the set exhibited in Topkapi corresponds to the Bertrand workshop specifications, as illustrated by Guy Stair-Sainty; frakly, I do not know if Crown Prince's insignia still exists, because it is not exhibited, and is also missing in the famous Thames & Hudson volume about the Topkapi treasury (unless the illustrated star is in fact that one, but I would guess that it is exactly the same one as permanently exhibited). I do not know who produced Emperor's set, because it is missing in the collection of the Cremlin that two years ago was organized in Moscow.

2. I did not have the opportunity to measure Queen Marie's set (in fact I had the opportunity, but missed to do it!), but the star diameter is not less than 90 mm.

3. The set was lent for the purpose of laying in state and the funeral service, and immediately afterwards returned to National Bank to rejoin the other items (among them some other most interesting order insignia!) until the final decision of the Court regarding the provenience of the Tito's hoard and possible rights of inheritance.

4. Reverse of the star is most interesting because the complete central part is mounted a jour, without covering disc; the brilliance of the stones is therefore even more enhanced.

5. Photos of the set are published on the page 660 of me recent book "Slava i Cast" (Glory and Honour).

Best regards to all,

Dragomir

As a mather of fact, the set was produced by Cartier of Paris. It is provided with all assay and manufacturer marks

Dragomir

Thank you EJ.

I believe that you are quite right in assuming that this was a trial product. However, it is beautiful and a mountain above the regular Barbadian honours.

Yours,

Dragomir

Gentlemen,

Can somebody make an educated guess what is this Indonesian potentate wearing (The collar and badge, of course)?

Dragomir

Gentlemen,

Does anybody know what is this? It was offered some time ago by an auctioneer.

Thanks,

Dragomir

Dragomir, An educated guess, from the design and style of the crown, is that they are Jordanian but the images are not detailed enough to allow close inspection of the stars or badges. Any idea from which website these came from? Regards, Owain

Thank you Owain,

I was also considering Jordan, exactly on the base of the crown-design, but I could not find anything that would corroborate the guess. I am trying to remember which website was in question, but so far I only remember that I found it by chance sometime in June this year. If I succeed in locating the source, I shall inform you. Best regards,

Dragomir

Gentlemen,

The Stange Company illustrates on its website the insignia strange to me, under the name of Order of the Dolphin of Barbados. Does somebody know what is it?

Dragomir

Gentlemen,

The Indian Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church disposes with a rather mysterious Order of St. Thomas. The information regarding the institution, organisation or any particular detail regarding that order is extremely scarce. Not just that, but the badge of this extremely bulky and unusual award is seen being worn on a blue (the Catholicos of the Armenian Church), respective red (Ethiopian Abbuna) necklet. Why? Does anyone have any information regarding this order?

Dragomir

For Al Ahly supporters ;-)

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/574/056/Al-Ahly_logo_display_image.png?1292634007

Could it be that a sports club awards orders for military and civil merit (look at the suspension!)?

Dragomir

Gentlemen,

I am in complete darkness regarding insignia found at the website of a manufacturer. Can somebody help?

Thank,

Dragomir

The carneval decoration, once more.

Dragomir