Sir Bernard Burke on Lion and Sun Order

[JapanX]

The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour by Sir Bernard Burke was published in 1858 in London. This book contain very little information about Persian Orders (no wonder!), but I hope will be interesting to all our colleagues as historical artifact.

[JapanX]

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[JapanX]

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[JapanX]

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[Markus]

Very nice nick! I particularly like the illustrations showing the early medals having the Turkish Medjidie influences for design. In Post #3 the author appears to be quoting from a firman or award document translation. Also he refers to the medal as the Sun and Lion as it was first known rather than the Lion and Sun as it was called in later periods. Attaching some of the Spada collection medals that match the illustrations. Seems like the early Sun and Lions faced right rather than left as subsequent Lion and Sun medals.

[Markus]

This was an early Sun and Lion medal presented to Napoleon III that was exhibited in LOH museum in Paris for sometime. Do not know if it is still there. The Lion is also facing right.

[Markus]

Another early Sun and Lion facing right, from a Dorotheum auction.

[JapanX]

Yep, I agree - it seems that all "early" lions are looking to the right.

Thanks for posting these beauties!

Regards,

Nick

[drclaw]

Hey Nick, where do you find these fascinating old books and articles! Thanks for posting these.

Interesting how the early lions faced right before turning left. I wonder if there was any symbolism behind the change.

If you assume it is a rising sun in the background (East), then the older lions are facing south whereas the later ones now face north. Nothing more than conjecture of course!