Markus

Close up of medallion.

Case.

Bertrand Officer Lion Sun.

Just arrived, a Bertrand Lion Sun Officer medal in original box. This one has the gold foil background and the image is painted on the back of the glass.

Hi Paul,

No marker marks on the reverse unfortunately. It seems that most of the Lion Suns come without a maker plaque on the back, so when you do get a makers plaque it is a real bonus.

Markus

Medallion close up.

Just arrived, a very early Persia lion & sun that looks to be French made. No maker marks. Gavin dubbed this one "Homer" the Lion and it stuck, being the lion is quiet goofy looking and has trouble finding dates. Very well worn ribbon.

Hi Lorenzo,

680 Euros is about $985 US. Congrats on your new additions! Your collection of Iraqi military has to be in the top five collections in the world! I will be on the look out for more Iraqi medals for you. I appreciate all the material you contributed to GMIC.

Markus

Case logo.

Case.

Close up of the medallion.

Officially instituted in 1852 and called the Nishan-i-Ilmi (Order of the Arts and Sciences) as a reward artistic and scientific merit for those who had achieved success in their studies at the recently founded Polytechnic College of Tehran. Later converted to a full scale state order of merit for the advancement of learning and dissemination of knowledge by scientists, writers, educators, artists, etc. (Thank You James Hoard for this information!) According to an article written by Robert Macnamara in OMSA publication, This order had four classes, beginning with a copper medal, then an eight-pointed badge, in silver and in gilt, and a ten-pointed badge in gilt for first class. The upper classes in particular were more or less reserved for foreign professors, many from Vienna, who staffed the institution. This medal was in it's original Halley Lasne box. Markus collection. Made by the firm Halley Lasne when they were at 5 Galeria Montpensier Palais-Royal address. The military style of lion with sword and Qajar crown above the sun was used on Persian orders prior to 1872 and issued as a military award.

Hey Lorenzo,

Nice looking medal in perfect shape even though it has a replacement ribbon. Still one of my favorite orders! I tried to PM you with this Spamish dealer link but for some reason PM's won't take.

This is a Spanish dealer that has some interesting Iraq military items.

My link

Markus

Very nice Gavin!

I have never seen a Bertrand Lion Sun before so this is a rare and great looking pickup! The European made lion and suns are heads and tails above the Persian made ones in quality. Love the way each medallion of lion sun is so different and beautiful. Cases also seem to be rare! Great looking case.

Markus

Thanks Gavin!

The green rays seem to be some kind of resin overlay and seem to hold up quite well on some. I notice that even with the European made Lion & Suns, each maker has a different treatment, with some having a thicker material and some having a rather thin coating that erodes or chips away with time. It is interesting to see how all the lion sun medallions are all so different reflecting the individual artists that hand painted the medallions. From what I have collection in Lion & Sun Medal imagery, even within the same maker, the Lions vary. Some of the Lion & Suns that I have seem to be glaze painted on a ceramic medallion and then fired. Others are rear painted on glass with a gold foil backing showing through the non-painted areas. They must have painted these with one hair and extreme magnification!

Markus

Medallion close up.

Back of badge with Kretly maker's plate.

Just arrived! A beautiful Kretly made, Persia Lion Sun military division commander badge. The dating of manufacture is pre 1872, since the standing lion has a small Qajar crown. Kretly was founded mid 1850's thus making the era of this badge 1850-1872.

Such an interesting history with this badge. No wonder it has the Ottoman cipher on the bottom, since it was when Egypt was part of the Ottoman Empire! The design is first class and reflects that a very talented Parisian Designer had this design project. I could almost picture the somber handle-barred mustache Judge that wore this badge. Great find!

Hey Gavin, Thanks for posting these beauties! I think you are making me a convert to this Turkish Medjidie order like I made you a covert to the Iraq El Rafidain order medals.

I always thought the patina issue should be left to the individual collector's preference and not be an issue of judgement. When the original owners wore them, I am sure they were kept bright and shiny, so why do people scorn the polishing of medals? Classic cars are kept bright and shiny despite their age with points taken off for less that perfect shine. Your medals look great!

Markus

It was sad to remove 150 years of patina (and history) but the medal has now been "restored" to as close a condition as when it first left the Istanbul mint. But I can understand how many collectors would prefer preserving the original patina of a medal.

Gavin

Very nice Gavin! The workmanship is of the highest quality by the Queens jeweler Garrard & Co. Your medal appears to be in tip top shape. It is one of my favorite order medals and seems to be getting harder to find. Great Pick Up!

Markus

This is the side by side comparison. On the left is the Liberian Star of Africa, on the right is the Portugal Order of Villa Vicosa.

Reverse of Commanders badge.

Commander's Badge and Breast Star- Order of the Star of Africa, Instituted 1920. Obv. 9-pointed star, rays and pale blue stars in the angles, red enamel center band is inscribed LIGHT IN DARKNESS around female reaching for a star. The reverse center is encircled in pale blue with THE LOVE OF LIBERTY BROUGHT US HERE around monogram PL 1920. This was one of Liberia's two oldest Orders, seldom seen today as it was virtually superseded by the Order of African Redemption before the disintegration of Liberian government and society following Sergeant Doe's 1980 coup d'etat and murder of President Tolbert. The order has borrowed design elements from the Portuguese Order of Villa Vicosa. I will post a side by side comparison as well.

Markus

Back of badge.