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Great Ensemble!! Thanks for sharing, Nick!

Quite interesting "chest", as Nick says. 2nd from right, judging by form & oval central medallion, likely either a Cambodian Royal Order or a Dragon of Annam--suspension too washed out for me to determine which. Wonder what's under the Dannebrog commander.

Blue ribbon w/crown follows war-time/military awards--thus, maybe Yugoslav Crown Order? Perhaps commander grade? Crown devices shown in several 'popular' reference works as distinguishing marks of grade within the Yugoslav Crown Order with same usage as Italian royal system. If so, a gilt crown indicates commander grade. March '39-April '41 time frame? But Sudatenland, Memel, Iron Crescent, Hungarian & Bulgarian WW I commems ribbon order suggests something else missing or perhaps this is a second part of a ribbon group?

Excellent overview! Thank you for your fine effort!

Right side image item sold on e--- for U.S.$87 including postage! Was attached to a red sash, not a pinback star.

Magnificent group in excellent condition...sincere congratulations!!

Interesting that his Bulgarian Military Merit Order knight lacks war wreath but is on war ribbon in the group.

Michael,

Sorry my comment #2 above transposed 6th class insignia descriptions. 'Actual' observed insignia description seems as 5th class with enamel center and 'star' points, 6th class with an enameled center but lacks enamel on the 'star' arms. Pieces sometimes called 6th class or 'varient' have no enamel at all.

Statutes in French and Arabic exist somewhere on web but cannot locate them now--maybe in a Sabretache or related document? When class structure expanded (1855 & 1898?) insignia design changed.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nichan_Iftikhar#Insignes_de_l.27ordre_et_leurs_ports offers the following data ca. 1898-1957.

• Les insignes se composent :

  • d'un insigne, une étoile en argent à dix branches à décors de pointes de diamant, avec une étoile superposée à dix branches émaillées et alternées vert et rouge. La bélière est formée par un nœud en argent. Le centre d'émail vert porte le monogramme du bey régnant.
  • d'une plaque, qui reprend la forme de l'insigne à vingt branches non émaillées.
  • d'un ruban vert aux deux liserés de rouge.

  Le port s'effectue de la façon suivante :

  Grand-cordon comprend un cordon passé de l'épaule droite à hanche gauche portant un bijou à l'extrémité, ainsi qu'une plaque portée au côté gauche ;
• Grand officier comprend une plaque portée au côté droit ;
• Commandeur comprend un insigne porté en sautoir ;
• Officier comprend un insigne porté sur la poitrine gauche, avec un ruban à rosette ;
• Chevalier de 1^re classe comprend un insigne à branches non émaillées [my emphasis] porté sur la poitrine gauche, à un ruban ;
• Chevalier de 2^e classe est identique à la précédente mais sans émail au centre [my emphasis]. .

According to this description, Knight lst class has a ribbon without rosette and unenameled 'star' points but an enameled center and Knight 2nd class has a ribbon without rosette and no enamel at all.

However, almost all knight lst class insignia seen with bestowal documents (1920s-40s) have enameled star arms and centers. c.f. http://www.expertissim.com/decorations/tunisie-ordre-de-nichan-iftikhar-o130110.html?parent=L25vcy1vYmpldHMtZC1hcnQtZXQtYW50aXF1aXRlcz9xPW5pY2hhbg%3D%3D#image and http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/34641-medal-nichan-iftikhar-ou-nichan-al-iftikhar/

So the difference between officer and knight first class grades appears to be just a rosette on the ribbon

Also, most knight 2nd class insignia seen with bestowal documents (1920s-40s) have enamel centers with unenameled star arms. This indicates the difference between knight lst class [enameled 'star' points] and knight 2nd class no enamel on 'star' points.

Most persons decorated with this order bought their insignia which likely accounts for possible confusion. Ribbons could easily be changed in any case.

In sum, the1898 statutes will answer your question, when we find them!

5th class statutorily with enamel star rays & center, no rosette on ribbon, 6th class without any enamel.

Pieces exist without enamel star rays but with enamel centers--usually with "Ali" monogram: said to be 6th class or manufacturer varients.

I believe it is the Bulgarian Military Merit Order 4th Class with Crown.

This piece perhaps more of a double cross dragon?

Thank you for these images--absolutely first class! A most complete exposition on these awards. Interesting that the ribbon bars included with cased order insignia do not appear to mirror the full size ribbon design.

Simply wonderful information and images!! The designs and ribbon colors admirably incorporate themes from historic Serbian awards while introducting elements clearly indicating and encouraging the nation's positive forward-thinking and goals. Sincere thanks to you, Paja, for sharing your valuable resources with us!!

Thank you for this extraordinary information!! Are the statutes publicly available in printed/illustrated form and if so where? Who designed the awards? Do you know what firm manufactures the decorations and prints the documents. Sincere thanks for a very worthy effort!!

Massive set Nick!--in every sense of the word. Will check mine [in a few days] to see if it bears the "V" mark. Quality of enamel work is low sometimes resulting in 'pop-out' although gilding usually excellent. These are not easily found--congratulations!

Is this all silk, rayon or......?? Professional dry cleaning usually works.

Sloppy eater -- forgot to pray before dinner? Trying to make a quick profit by selling relics?

Missed Ulsternam's 2007 query.

Cejalvo of Madrid had at least two contracts [early and mid 1980s] to produce Equatorial Guinea decorations. Pins on the reverse of two of the above stars suggest Spanish workmanship. In 1996, a Malabo source informed that decorations would be manufactured in Paris, presumably by Bertrand, but no solid confirmation of that ever received. Burke implies that Bertrand made insignia for the National Order, at least.

Marks usually found on reverse of star body, at tips of star rays, on pin [either side], on pin hasp, upper or lower pin hinge, or on reinforcement work. Center, quite possibly of gold, may have a small mark on side of monogram. 70 X 90 mm diameter size could be either grand officer or grand cross.

Happy to be of assistance. This quality and style suggests you do not have a fake.

As to period of manufacture, probably 1890-1900 [based on reverse crown reinforcement & Wolfers' address] not later than 1910. Though I do not see any in your posted images, you may wish to closely examine the piece for silver, import or other markings that may help define manufacture dates.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Immaculate_Conception_of_Vila_Vi%C3%A7osa for more information on the order.

Most likely, you have a Grand Cross or Grand Officer star--diameter measurements run from about 75 mm. to 90 mm. Usually larger stars equal grand cross grade.

Guillaume [G] Wolfers [& Cie.] of Brussels produced award insignia from the 1850s-1960s{?}. The company still exists and manufactures/sells silverware, jewlery and associated items. Currently known as Wolfers Frères, the following websites have some information regarding this firm: http://bijoutierwolfers.be/fr?WT.mc_id=dp_ and http://www.adin.be/en/explanation-on-wolfers-by-adin-antique-vintage-and-estate-jewelry.htm.

Jacobs' Court Jewellers of the World provides the firm's history connected with decorations and names some of the items produced by it. Reportedly Fibru [later Fibru-Fisch] and/or DeGreef obtained dies and other material related to awards and decorations when Wolfers exited the medal business.

In addition to Belgian, Wolfers made French, Luxembourgouis, Persian, Portugese, Sedang, Spanish, plus many other countries and entities' decorations. Usually, their work is of high quality, like your Villa Vicosa star.

Remember that Regent of Hungary, Miklos Horthy, revived the Order of St. Stephan in 1938 and appointed a number of men to the Order. These included leading Hungarians [Cardinal Seredi and Prime Minister Teleki de Szek & Horthy himself plus perhaps a few others], Goring, Ribbontrop, supposedly Marshal Antonescu, and maybe others to the Order. Perhaps the display includes the award to Goring or a representation of it.

Hope that everyone is 'at ease' before viewing this remarkable image of Lion & Sun 'holder" Roger Djupvik, the Grand Sword Bearer of the [certainly original, valid, and special] Order of St. Stanislaus!!! Interestingly enough one GLEN HOLE.......[no comment!] serves as "Grand Master' of this Order.... [http://faketitlesandorders.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/the-imperial-order-of-st-stanislas/#comments]

Nick, #23 -- outstanding image!! Felix's fantasy finery??

Collar & large 'flat' star w/red Maltese Cross most likely are SOUVERÄNER TEMPELHERRENORDEN IN DEUTSCHLAND; red Byzantine Cross at neck--a fake Constantinian Order, maybe 'The Imperial Supreme Military Orthodox Dynastic Constantinian Order of Saint George (Byzantium)'; Sash an 'Ordre Signum Fidei' varient--cannot make out badge, disremember the pink enamel neck cross w/black eagles but maybe an 'Order of St. Tatinia' Honor Cross?? White bordered Maltese Cross below that may be an 'Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch' though a couple other 'independents' use that same badge format/design.

Curiously, the lower left star beneath Iron Cross lst class looks like a Brazil [republic] Order of Merit grand officer star.....this based on the Rose Order type design. Given the others on display here, that identification may be quite incorrect.

Thank you Nick--GREAT IMAGES, as usual. Years ago an exposition of portraits of the Armenian Patriarchs of Jerusalem contained many interesting photos. Found one, Yessayi Garabedian [1879?] below:

Seem to recall a biography entry [not his autobiography or a Lowell Thomas] that recounts a meeting between Luckner & Ferdinand of Bulgaria. Luckner described himself [as usual, unclear whether modestly or in self aggrandizement?] as a simple sailor, 'by Joe!!'. Ferdinand presented him with a Bravery Cross as well as a Bravery Order as a result. Given Luckner's reputed typical attitude, he chose to wear the Bravery Cross rather than the Order. Cannot retrieve a citation and do not know whether this tale is true.

However, such a circumstance could be similar to that between Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil and Russian Grand Duke Aleksander Mikhailovich in 1887 [reported in Once A Grand Duke, 1932, p. 98]. Dom Pedro II intended to present Aleksander an Order of the Cross but Alex asked for the Order of the Rose instead. Dom Pedro gave Aleksander both.

A few sources state that Luckner 'enhanced' his actual award entitlements. He may have received additional decorations in the 1930s and afterward. An example, Luckner reportedly acted as Grand Master of at least one "Order of St. John, Grand Priory of America of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem" from 1962-66.