Markus

I am posting some Lion and Sun medals from a private collection. I wish to thank the collector for his generosity in sharing these beautiful medals. His collection added a few more makers of Lion & Sun order to my list of makers. First up, a Persian made breast star with red rays and standing military lion and sword.

"The small stars between the rays applied between 1856 and 1872. They were removed because of the confusion with the breast stars of Order of the Aghdas, which had been instituted in 1870. Thereafter the class was indicated by the number of rays, eight for the first class down to four for the fifth class." per James Hoard

"Persians were awarded by this order quite rare (as compared to foreigners) - that's why standing lion version is much more scare (at least for period 1808-1907) than lying lion version. Often this order was used by Persian officials as implicit bribe to Russian and French officials. You could actually buy yourself a bestowal back in 19 century. That's why rewarding by this order was often ridiculed in Imperial Russia."

Europeans really desired this Lion and Sun medal, so that would explain why there are so many different European makers of this medal. The Europeans preferred the higher quality European made medals rather than the Persian made medals it seems. If All the Persians received standing lion with sword medals why would the Persians also make Lions laying down medals in great quantities. I would assume that the Persian ones were for local consumption.

Markus

Yea I tried too and they have some security protocol not allowing any copies. LOL! They are no longer doing auctions any more from what they told me. That was quite an interesting batch of Lions and Suns. Now to the semantics of civilian and military verses Persian and foreigners (Christians). I think that even within Persia there must have been a distinction between civil awards and military awards, and it makes sense to me that lion with sword = military and lion without sword = civilian. What happens when you have a foreign military award? What if the foreigner is Buddhist and not Christian? LOL!

Markus

Well Mark you sure gonna like these ones

https://www.winkler-..._Orden_2_e.html

https://www.winkler-..._Orden_3_e.html

https://www.winkler-..._Orden_4_e.html

There they call them "for persian military personal"...

Which is again sounds a little strange to me...

More likely "for Persians"...

No?

Hi Nick,

Yes I do like these! A while back, I got in touch with the auctioneer and asked for the sellers contact info so I could purchase some of them, but wasn't given any useful info by Winkler Auction House. Couldn't believe these didn't sell at those prices!

Markus

Hi Nick,

The web resources I have read state that the Lion with sword was for military and the Lion without sword was for civilian:

Close up of the medallion. Look at those serious stern eyes! A Halley made order.

Here is another image courtesy of g1usxs that I downsized for him. A great looking 1st class military Lion and Sun breast star pre-1872. European made. The enamel art on this medallion is stunning! A Halley made order.

Thanks G1USXS for posting that beauty. I did not see that one before and could see why that one went for over 5000 Euro! Hey and Congrats on your Hermann Historica winnings!

Emmanuel & Nick thanks so much for the info on swan marking. This really helps date the medal and adds to my knowledge base! Well at least we know it wasn't made in France. I still think the style looks like a Russian maker. Wow this is a fun thread!

Markus

This is a 1st Class Lion and Sun breast star that was on Hermann Historica's Auction a little while back. My bid didn't even come close and it hammered at 2300 Euro. Appears to be a Russian made order with an extra large medallion of incredible beauty. French import mark of swan on back of the medal.

Spada collection Legion of Honor museum, Paris France.

Spada collection Legion of Honor museum, Paris France.

Posting some additional eye candy from the Spada collection at Legion of Honor Museum Paris. Hey g1usxs, it is good to hear from you! You should also post some of your collection of Lion & Suns here! I would love to see them!

Hi Elie,

I have seen the breast star solo sell for $400 to $600 US. The whole set sells for more. Emedals has a full set by Chobillon selling for $1400 US. The design and beauty of this order makes it one of my favorites. French firms such as Lemaitre, Bertrand and Chobillon made this medal. So a very nice addition to your collection.

https://www.emedals.com/Pages/DirectSale/DirectSaleItemDetails.aspx?id=8354

Markus

Two more from the Spada collection on exhibit in the Legion of Honor Museum, Paris France. Beautiful workmanship and very rare! The second medal down borrows a lot of elements from the Turkish order medals.

These are some of my favorite Lion and Sun order medals that are in the Spada Collection on exhibit in the Legion of Honor museum in Paris France. They are early 19th century examples loaded with jewels and very rare specimens.

Dorotheum auction house had another Lion and Sun knight class medal that appears to have the same medallion art of the 1st class Lion and Sun I just posted. They said there was a maker's plate on the back with " Dazeville, Paris". Has anyone ever heard of Dazeville maker? I have not been able to locate any information on such a maker.

Close up of medallion.

A new arrival from Dorotheum auction house. 1st class Lion and Sun breast star with a "silber" mark on the back pin, suggesting it is German or Austrian maker. The tip of the star is missing but other than the tip damage appears to be in fine shape. The lion and sun medallion appears to be unique to this European maker. It also seems to be identical to Alex's earlier post of his breast star.

http://gmic.co.uk/in...+%2Blion+%2Bsun

Thanks Jens for the info! Have a happy and prosperous new year!

Markus

Hello Jens,

Do you know if the medal making company G.Wolfers is still around? Your example with recipient history is very rare! I couldn't find an end of business date for Wolfers in my resources. Also do you know of any Belgian medal dealers that may have stock in European made Lion and Sun medals? The European made Lion and Sun is a lot scarcer than the Persian made Lion and Sun.

Regards,

Markus

Hi Westdie 911,

Thanks for posting your beautiful Gustave Wolfers lion and sun. Wolfers has one of the most beautifully painted medallions of all the lion suns. Wolfers was founded about 1880. All of the lion sun medallions are slightly different due to the different artists and hand painting. This is a Wolfers lion sun close up in my collection.

This is the close up of the medallion.

Added this Russian made Persian Lion and Sun breast star, 2nd class to my collection. My first Lion & Sun with jewels. No maker marks but judging by the enamel work on Lion Sun appears to be Russian made.

"The small stars between the rays applied between 1856 and 1872. They were removed because of the confusion with the breast stars of Order of the Aghdas, which had been instituted in 1870. Thereafter the class was indicated by the number of rays, eight for the first class down to four for the fifth class." per James Hoard

I have been assembling a list of makers of the Lion and Sun Order and find it to be one of the largest list of makers for a single order. All the different makers give this Lion and Sun order a great variation of artistry and make it a joy to collect. If any one has seen other makers of this order not on my list please post info so the list is more complete.

European makers

Bertrand (Paris)

Boullanger (Paris)

Johann Schwerdtner (Austrian)

Chobillon (Paris)

Godet & Sohn (Berlin)

Halley (Paris)

Kretly (Paris)

Lasne Halley (French)

Lemaitre (French)

D. Ossipov (St. Petersburg)

Ozeretskij (Moscow)

Vinc Meyers Sohne (Austrian)

J.H.Werner ( German)

Wolfers (Belgian)

Persian makers

Faiz Allah

Saniolmamalek

Close up of the enamel medallion 5th class Knight Lion And Sun order.