Markus

Mitya, Here is a closeup of Alexandra's sash badge. The detail doesn't show that much other than a star shape.

Great photos Nick! Thanks. Markus

Hi Mitya, Here is the link to the Victoria pic site: http://fouman.com/Y/Picture_Farsi-Qajar_Queen_Victoria_Naseroddin_Shah_Medallion.htm Thanks for your confirmation of Queen Victoria's awards! I don't think the site mentions who took the photo. Markus

Another view of Shah Naser al-Din visit with Queen Victoria from London magazine dated July 13, 1859. Shah Naser al-Din was the first modern Iranian monarch to visit Europe in 1873 and then again in 1878 (when he saw a Royal Navy Fleet Review), and finally in 1889 and was reportedly amazed with the technology he saw there. During his visit to the United Kingdom in 1873, Naser al-Din Shah was appointed by Queen Victoria a Knight of the Order of the Garter, the highest English order of chivalry. He was the first Iranian monarch to be so honoured. His travel diary of his 1873 trip has been published in several languages as Persian, German, French and Dutch.

Naser al-Din visit with Queen Victoria from London magazine dated July 13, 1859.

Fath Ali Shah Effigy portrait with no crown, bald head and long beard.

An interesting photo of Queen Victoria wearing an Effigy medal with Shah Naser al-Din (reign from 1848-1896). This Effigy medal was presented to Queen Victoria in 1873 along with the order of Aftab. This was the first time the Sovereign Effigy order had been bestowed to a female recipient. Sadly, this medal was later cannibalized and the diamonds were used in royal necklace.

Thanks Babar! Your photos got this thread rolling! Markus

A portrait of Muhammad Shah in a new type of court dress in the early 1840's. Note the Effigy medal of Fath Ali Shah on his left jacket breast. Source: Qajar Portraits by Julian Raby

A miniature portrait of Muhammad Shah circa 1845. Opaque enamels on sheet gold, in an enameled gold frame, 8.7 x 6.7 cm. Portrait medallions of Muhammad Shah are not common, but the increasing significance of such medallions in the dress code of the court is reflected in the fact that Muhammad Shah is here wearing on his left breast, a portrait medallion of Fath Ali Shah. In the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art. Source: Qajar Portraits by Julian Raby

Thanks Paul, The Effigy medals sure are works of art. Thanks for your input. Markus

Hey Nick, Thanks again for all those Persian History documents! I feel like I am getting my masters in Persian studies. Markus

This Effigy medal looks like Fath Ali Sha (1797-1834 reign), making this a very old piece. Image courtesy of Babar. I love the lions framing the sun burst with ruby.

Another type of Effigy medal with Shah Naser ed-Din (reign from 1848-1896). Image, courtesy of Babar. Enamel on gold set in an unmarked silver gilt laurel-wreath frame, with a scrolling stand, 4x3 cm excluding frame. In the Hashem Khosrovani Qajar Collection. This Imperial Effigy was presented by the Shah Naser ed-Din to the British envoy the Hon. Sir Charles Augustus Murray on his departure from Tehran. Sir Charles was British Ambassador in Tehran between 1854-1859. The miniature is signed by Abu'l Hasan, who is surely to be identified as Abu'l Hasan Ghaffari, Sani al-Mulk. On 19 may 1861 Abu’l-Hasan was named Sani` al-Mulk (‘painter of the kingdom’) and given a building in which to establish his own school of painting. He was also court painter for Muhammad Shah. Source: Qajar Portraits by Julian Raby

Another type of Effigy medal with Shah Naser ed-Din (reign from 1848-1896). Image, courtesy of Babar.

This is an Effigy medal from Najafcoin site. "http://www.najafcoins.com/Pahlavi_Ghajar_Dec.htm"]http://www.najafcoins.com/Pahlavi_Ghajar_Dec.htm[/Most of the ones I have seen have featured Shah Naser ed-Din (reign from 1848-1896). Found the original Morton and Eden auction listing on this item: ‡428 Qajar, Order of the Lion and Sun (Homayoun), superior grade of the Imperial Effigy, a magnificent jewelled neck badge, Nasir al-Din Shah issue, of Iranian manufacture, late 19th century, comprising a gold badge with a glazed oval portrait miniature of Nasir al-Din Shah surrounded by three rows of rose diamonds, around an elaborate wreath in the form of an olive branch surmounted by an ornate crowned scroll of roses, all set with diamonds of varying sizes, 148mm high including suspension, minor trace of repair to one facet diamond of the lower left wreath, good very fine and extremely rare £7,000-9,000 THE DECORATION OF THE IMPERIAL EFFIGY was first mentioned in the statutes of 1848 when it was incorporated into the Order of the Lion and Sun as a superior grade. Interestingly, this was the only Qajar order on which jewels were not forbidden by law: ‘The decoration with the Imperial Effigy alone is exempted from this rule, because of the respect due to the portrait of His Majesty, which demands that it should be surrounded by jewels.’ Under the same statutes, the Order was extended to foreigners of exalted rank. By the beginning of the 20th century, the order of the Imperial Effigy was extended to three classes, with three rows of diamonds surrounding the effigy in the 1st class, two in the 2nd and one row in the 3rd class. Literature: C. P. Mulder, Persian Orders 1808-1925, Ordenshistorick Selskab, 1990. Hammered at 9,500 pounds.

Another Qajar era Persian portrait image courtesy of Babar. The Persian military men sure do like their mustaches and melancholic expressions.

Masoud Mirza Zil-es-Sultan medals. The one suspended from his neck looks like an Nishan-i-Temtal-i-Amir ul-Mumenin (The Portrait of the Commander of the Faithful Decoration) medal with portrait of Shah Naser ed-Din. The Grand collar and sunburst breast star are the Star of India order.

An old Qajar period photo of Masoud Mirza Zil-es-Sultan ( eldest son of Shah Governor of Isfahan taken in 1890. Fascinating old Persian photo exhibit on this site: https://disc.leidenuniv.nl/view/action/singleViewer.do?dvs=1331094106846~563&locale=en_US&VIEWER_URL=/view/action/singleViewer.do?&DELIVERY_RULE_ID=10&frameId=1&usePid1=true&usePid2=true

An old Qajar period photo of Masoud Mirza Zil-es-Sultan (eldest son of Shah Governor of Isfahan), taken in 1890.

Thanks James, I did not even notice the case was made for the Nishan-i-Aghdas. Many of these early orders must have been plundered for their jewels. From what I have read a lot of Royal Jewels crossed borders and ended up repurposed in other Royal Jewel collections. Markus

Thanks James! I was looking at another postcard photo close up of Queen Alexandra taken at the same time as the others aboard the Royal Yacht and now I am not sure this was an Aftab. She was given one according to some sources, but the clearer shot of the medal looks like a sun burst motif and I can't really make out the distinctive face on the medallion part.

Some more Qajar military portraits, courtesy of Babar. Thanks Babar!

This is a beautiful Lion and Sun photo that was taken in Iran by a traveler. Must have been in a museum, Quite incredible! A 1st Class Breast star loaded with either diamonds or rhinestones. I am guessing diamonds with the high quality and display features.

:unsure: Приветствие Ник. Как видите, в задней части медаль голый, как малыша вниз. Я назвал эту Годе сделал медаль сравнивая его по следующей ссылке: http://www.najafcoin...mages/o2268.jpg How is my Google Russian? Now the question I have, is do you type on an English keyboard, a Russian keyboard and use a translator application? Congratulations on election of your new old President! Now we need to change the Constitution in the USA to allow for three terms and bring back Clinton to fix our economy. Just translated my Google Russian back to English: "Welcome Nick. As you can see the back of the medal naked as a baby down. I call this the Year medal made ​​by comparing it to the following link:" Not so good! Should have read: "Hello Nick. As you can see the back of the medal is naked as a baby's bottom. I call this a Godet maker, by comparing it to the following link." LOL! Markus