Portugal - Order of Christ, breast star

[saschaw]

I acquired this well worn and slightly damaged, but still nice breast star some months ago. As my main area are imperial German awards and I don't have too much books on other European awards, I still don't know for sure what grade and era from this star is. The designs seem to have been changed in 1910 but from my books, I don't get much information on it. So, could please someone tell me if this is a pre or post 1910 star and what class it is? Thanks in advance.

:beer:

[saschaw]

The reverse, with big maker's mark:

[Veteran]

This is a breast star of the Kingdom of Portugal, i.e. pre-1910. According to Werlich, this order came in three grades : grand-cross, commander ans knight.

In most orders, the commander wears a neck badge without a breast star (except in cas of chief-commanders or knight-commanders which do not apply here).

You can therefore imply that his is part of a grand-cross set. The Sacred Heart on the obverse is the royal type. The order was abolished in 1910 and re-established in 1918 without the Sacred Heart royal addition.

The maker's plate in the back would be interesting to have in-extenso. From the style of manufacure, I would think it would be early XXth century. According to Jacobs (Court Jewelers of the World) portuguese manufacture of orders was rather late in the XIXth century. Earlier pieces were often made in Paris (by Halley, for instance). When information is requested, may I suggest that exact measurements and metal be indicated ? It often is most useful.

Hope to have been of help

Veteran

Edited July 26, 2008 by Veteran

[saschaw]

Thanks Veteran, of course you've been of help yet. I wasn't sure if this is the royal type, so this is cleared now. I added a picture of the maker mark - the star's made in Lisboa - so a rather late, not an earlier, French made one.

Additionally, I addet a photo of a star in wear on a Bavarian officer - that looks much different!

[saschaw]

I looked it up at Zeige's price guide for Europe's orders and found that he lists several different stars for the pre 1910 modell. Mine has to be the elderly type (Christus cross), not the later Maltese cross decoration. So now: is it the breast star for the grand cross or is it the commander's cross' star?!

:catjava:

[Veteran]

I looked it up at Zeige's price guide for Europe's orders and found that he lists several different stars for the pre 1910 modell. Mine has to be the elderly type (Christus cross), not the later Maltese cross decoration. So now: is it the breast star for the grand cross or is it the commander's cross' star?!

According to Jacobs, J.A. Da Costa was the prominent jeweler in Lisbon. His firm was founded before 1900. J.A. Da Costa was succeded by F.B. Da Costa. Your star would therefore be one of their early ones.

I cannot comment on the Zeige price list you have. Not beeing a specialist of Portuguese Orders I could not discuss the possibility that 3 different stars existed for the Order of Christ. But I don't recall ever seeing any other type than the one you show; the two piece I have had in hand are absolutely identical (except for the reverse pin and plates) to the one you have. I always have thought there was only one kind.

Regards

Veteran

[saschaw]

Merci again, Veteran. The one on the upper photo in wear shows another type, and I found that one now at "J. Nimmergut, Orden Europas" as pre 1910 grand cross star. So mine may be a commander star? Or just another type? The star at Nimmergut is a solid and brilliantated, while mine has single rays...

No Portugal collectors here?!

[saschaw]

Now looking again at Gritzner (1893) I realized he states about the same as you did - the star has to look like mine and they were the same for both classes.

But what are those others... ?

:banger:

[James Hoard]

Saschaw,

I am also not an expert but from what I do no know, both types of star were found concurrently.

Your type tends to be of Portuguese (Costa) manufacture for the period 1862-1910. The other type from the catalogue tends to be either a) foreign manufacture or b) Portuguese manufacture when awarded/encrusted with diamonds or brilliants.

For the ordinary stars, both classes look the same but Grand Cross is usually gold or silver-gilt, Commander is silver.

I am not 100% sure when your "cut, pierced and irregular circumferance" type of breast star came in but think that it is towards the late nineteenth century rather than 1862 itself.

Cheers,

James