Bulgaria FAKE BULGARIAN ORDERS ON THE MARKET

[new world]

Form what I was able to find on the web - there are at least four examples of this type:

1. Kunker auction, Fall 2014, sold for 8,000 Euro plus commission.

Set from Estonian museum looks like the one sold at Kunker

 

2. Schulman auction, July 2015, sold for 6,500 Euro plus commission.

Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius , BULGARIA Set grand cross, with breaststar, badge and sash. Werlich 196 and 197.AR gilt 78.5 and 59.8 mm Nearly mint

Judging by patina on the star and connecting loop - this is not the same set as the one sold at Kunker in 2014. 

3. Cross from Graf's post #171, sold at either Morton Eden or Spink

Heavily patinated and worn cross

 

4. Cross from Liverpool Medals, Oct 2017, sold for 2,995 GBP

I can't be 100% sure, but looking at the patina pattern at the cross this is not same cross sold at Kunker or Schulman auctions.

 

So far we have four crosses of the same type, so clearly this is not a fake as Graf stated in post 171.

Considering what Prof Pavlov said in his book and above 4 examples - this could be considered Type 3 of the C&M order.

 

Edited October 22, 2017 by new world

[Graf]

Hi New World

I did not stated that is a Fake --just said unless enamel tested

The Cross on the Liverpool site is the same as Spink or Norton & Eden

I listed it here to discuss its originality. and to try to find out which period it was made and possible maker

 

 

 

 

[new world]

Unfortunately we don't have specific info about the manufacturers of this type.

This discussion should be moved away from fakes thread.

[new world]

It would be interesting to perform enamel test on this C&M cross.

[Ulsterman]

Regarding the Post of May above-I strongly suspect this was a German made/ repaired item made by Kleitman/Godet in the 1960s. Kleitman made a number of these as replacements and as collectors items. In his window/show display items he sometimes enscribed the item on the rear. 

[new world]

22 hours ago, Ulsterman said:

Regarding the Post of May above-I strongly suspect this was a German made/ repaired item made by Kleitman/Godet in the 1960s. Kleitman made a number of these as replacements and as collectors items. In his window/show display items he sometimes enscribed the item on the rear. 

That's interesting information, I never heard it before. You are talking about St Alexander 1st class cross we discussed in May, correct?

Do you have photos of such display?

[new world]

here's good large photo of the star

[eurorders]

I, too, am a lover of Bulgarian kingdom orders. As an aside, I have done some research on a side, but important, area related to the manufacture of original orders of decoration, namely, the fine and difficult art of enameling. I thought I would share it for the good of the cause. It makes me appreciate so much the arduous process of making original orders of decoration.

 

Excerpted and crediting the book on Enamels by the Smithsonian Illustrated Library of Antiques and prepared by the Cooper-Hewitt Museum.  Distilled.

 

  Enameling is an outstanding example of human skill and is a refined and sophisticated technique. It has been a craft patronized by the wealthy and for discerning collectors.  The jewel-like brilliance of its vitreous surface is durable and the colors in which it can be produced range from the bold and vivid to the subtle and pastel. 

The particular technical problems inherent in the enameling process with its need for successive firings and the fact that colors change during firing at different temperatures make the production of a really fine enameled piece something to be marveled it.  Enamellers have rivaled if not surpassed the work of the finest jewelers.

Enameling is an unpredictable art and a combination of intuition and science that demands perception as well as skill for a successful conclusion.

Enamel is a vitreous glass glaze that is fused to a metal base. The chemical constituents are silica (sand), borates, alkalis (soda and potash), alkalines (lime, magnesia, lead) and oxides of metals for coloring.  There are four4 basic types: opaque, opalescent, translucent and transparent. Production methods include: cloisonné, champlevé (raised field), basse-taille (shallow cut), guilloche (engine-turned), Plique a jour, also known as email de plique. There is also filigree and skan enameling as well as en plain (on an open field). Blue enamel is produced by cobalt. Carbonate of copper produces green, manganese produces purple, oxide of gold produces some pinks and reds.  The color is affected by the constitution of the molten glass (flux) and by the type or quantity of the oxide. The majority of enamel colors cannot be mixed to give an intermediate shade. Most of them must be prepared with their own specific oxide.

The steps, condensed:

1.      The article the enamel is applied to is washed and plunged into a diluted acid to etch the surface in order to give a good key (allover roughness) to which the enamel can adhere.  The piece is washed again.

2.      Raw enamel is pulverized with water until it is reduced to a fine power. The powder is washed multiple times in distilled water. It is dried and sifted through a fine sieve.

3.      It is applied to metal either in powdered form mixed with water and gum tragacanth or by brush or palette knife in which case it must first be mixed with a volatile oil such as spike (lavender) oil or oil of sassafras.

4.      Several layers are required to form a cover and each must be dried thoroughly then fired before the next is applied. Firing takes place in a kiln or furnace at temperatures between 600 and 850 degrees Centigrade (or 1110 to 1562 Fahrenheit). Intense white heat is essential to achieve the temperature at which enamel will fuse to metal. Firing takes only a few minutes.

5.      Rapid cooling would have a detrimental effect, creating a brittle enamel that could easily crack or scale.

6.      Different colors are fired at varying temperatures, those that can withstand the greatest heat, such as brown, blue and green, being fired first. There are multiple applications and firings. In the case of painted enamels, up to 20 firings may be needed. Each time an object is fired, great care must be taken to protect already used colors from damage caused by overfiring.  Many articles also are coated on both sides. Once the metal is enclosed between two layers of enamel, the combined substances react simultaneously, another difficult task.

7.      The enamel is filed down with carborundum until smooth, fired then polished with the finest pumice powder.

 

Excerpted from the book, Enameling for Beginners by Edward Winter.  Distilled.

   Raw materials for opaque white enamels will melt into liquid glass in from three and a half to four hours, smelting at 2,300 degrees F.  By changing the proportions of the ingredients, the opacity or transparency, hardness or softness of enamel is determined. These ingredients are: silica, arsenic oxide, potassium carbonate, borax and lead oxide. (Feldspar is also an ingredient).

   Focused flames are directed onto the enamel to keep it flowing freely. The molten enamel can be  poured into tanks of water to break it up into small particles called frit. Lumps of frit can be crushed into powder that will pass through an 80 or 100 mesh sieve. The powder is then shaken through a sieve onto a platform.

   Enamel is wet ground in a ball mill. A typical mixture for a small size mill would be 100 parts frit, six parts of clear clay, a fourth part of potassium carbonate and 40 cubic centimeters (about a cup) of water.  The produces a slip or slush enamel.

    When grinding is completed, the enamel is dumped, along with the porcelain grinding balls, into a large 200 mesh sieve resting on a basin. The slush enamel is then shaken through the sieve into the basin.

   Chromel steel tongs and fork can be used for placing enamel pieces in and out of the furnace.  Chromel steel trivets, fire-clay stilts and chromel wire screens support enamel pieces for firing. Enamels of unusual shape need specially designed trivets to hold them successfully.

  Gum tragacanth, a whitish vegetable gum derived from sea plants, is applied in solution form to metal surfaces to bind the dry, sifted enamel upon them before firing. The flakes should be dissolved by boiling in a basin of water. The resultant solution which should have a watery consistency, is applied with a camel’s hair brush. A few drops of alcohol will keep it from fermenting.

   Vitreous enamel is the producing of the melting together of the correct proportion of materials in a smelter that reaches a temperature of about 2,100 degrees F.

  A complete book could be written about the science of producing colors and the great assortment of subtle tones and shades which are crafted.  With most manufacturers, these formulae are guarded secrets and handed down. Color is given to the glass enamels by the addition of certain metallic oxides before the raw material batch is smelted and during this melting process the colored enamel is made.

    Liquid slush or enamel slip colors are processed differently, since colorants and oxides are added to the clear enamel frit by the manufacturer and ground up with the addition of prescribed proportions of water, fine clay and chemical salts in the porcelain ball mill.

  Enamels for steel, copper and silver are similar in so far as firing temperature is concerned, fusing after two to three minutes at 1,450 to 1,500 degrees F.

 

Excerpted from the book, Metalwork & Enameling by Herbert Maryon.  Distilled.

 

  Enamel should not be exposed to the direct blast of the flame or it may be discolored. The method is dangerous for firing small silver articles, they melt so easily. Iron scales or rust will discolor clear glass flux or frit, so the enamel must be protected against any accidental flaking of the iron support on which it is fired.

   All colors must be ground equally find and the heat of furnace needs to reach them all to the same (amount of coverage).

   In bassetaille enamel, the metal groundplate is chased or sometimes engraved in such a way that its modeled surfaces beneath the enamel form an essential part of the design. Undulating surfaces are visible through the enamel that covers them and take an important share in producing the final effect.

   If some wet, powdered enamel is to be laid down beside another patch which is still wet, care must be taken that the boundary line between them does not become irregular. The most convenient way to prevent this is to add a little gum tragacanth to each batch of enamel and to allow the first colors to dry before the next are laid alongside them. They will not then spread much on to their neighbor’s territory.

   In a bassetaille enamel, because so much of its effect depends upon the modeling of the metal beneath it, the enamel itself must have a level and well-polished surface. All depressions in the enameled surface should be filled up and refired and the surface ground level and polished.

   Any soldered joints must be protected by painting them with rouge or whiting.  For more elaborate work, it is sometimes necessary to provide a support made from plaster of Paris. The plaster is made to envelop large portions of the work, leaving exposed only those parts on which the enamel is to come. When all the soldering and cleaning up has been finished and the work is ready for the enameling, it is set up on an iron  furnace plate. Plaster of Paris is mixed in a spoon and spread over the work with a spatula. Every part may be covered with plaster except those surfaces which are to be enameled. The work may be fired again and again if necessary, but at no time must a soldered joint be left unprotected.

[ilieff]

Now for a sudden change in topic from the highest award to [perhaps] the lowest:

It looks as if fakers are now trying to fake even the cheapest of medals - bronze medals of merit. I find this pathetic.

Edited November 1, 2017 by ilieff

[Graf]

Hi Iieff,

 

The medals are much easier to fake No enamel or other special features.

The only one needs a very good impression material and casting facilities in the shop or in the back yard

The most common faked items are the medals in any country even the cheapest ones - they can be produced in large numbers to make up for the price

[Graf]

Hi Guys,

 

Here is a interesting information i would not make nay comments at this stage

 

Opinions are welcomed

 

A prototype/demonstration Cross was sold in 2010 on XV Auction of La Galerie Numiqmatique 

ORDER OF SAINT CYRIL AND METHODIUS

A manufacturer's demonstration badge. Reverse of this very rare order in bronze gilt and one-side enameled, center with enamel painting, dim. 60 x 60 mm. In perfect condition.I

Price 200 EURO plus com

 

Graf

[Carol I]

Your opinion on this piece? Thanks!

[new world]

7 minutes ago, Carol I said:

Your opinion on this piece? Thanks!

Looks fine to me

[Graf]

Hi Carol,

 

I agree with New Word.

From the pictures it looks very fine  first model 1900 period with "glass enamel" Prince Ferdinand Emission Austrian made They are bronze gilded, therefore no marks could be found on the cross

 

Such Cross in an original box can have a price tag 900-1000$

 

If you can get it cheaper it will be a good deal

 

Do you have the picture/s of the front of the box.?

It should look like that

 

 

Graf

[Carol I]

Thank you both for the replies. Please keep the fingers crossed so that I'll get a good price.

Here is the box:

[922F]

Greetings!  Item in Graf's post 186 described by Dr. Klietmann [in the 1950's] as insignia of a private Order based in Paris. 

By chance, found Dr. Klietmann's notes published in "The Medal Collector" issue for September-October 1959, page 12.   [Fair use copy]

 

O. OF SS° CYRIL & METHODIU8 - ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BY DR. K. G. KLIETMANN

REFERRING TO THE ILLUSTRATIONS ON THE LOWER PORTION OF PAGE 5 OF
THE JULY-AuGusT 1959 ISSUE, WHICH SHOWED SOME UNUSUAL BADGES IN THE COLLECTION  OF DR, GOODWlN, THE FOLLOWING CAN BE SAID: THIS IS THE BADGE OF  A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN PARIS ON NOV, 24 1952~ WITH THE NAME  NOBLE ASSOCIATION CHEVALERESQUE DE LA CROIX DE CONSTANTIN LE GRAND  [NOBLE AND KNIGHTLY ASSOCIATION OF THE CROSS OF CONSTANTINE THE GREAT].     THE STATUTE IS SIGNED BY DON RIUS BERNARD~ PRINCE OF THESSALIE.  THE BADGE PICTURED ON THE LEFT IS WORN BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION FROM A SKY--BLUE RIBBON.

MISSING ON THE BADGE IS THE TROPHY (FOR MEN) OR THE ENAMELLED LADIES BOW~ SIMILAR TO THE CROSSES OF THE 0. OF MALTA.
THE STAR ON THE RIGHT~ WAS" TO BE AWARDED FOR SPECIAL MERITS IN THE CAUSE OF THE ASSOCIATION~ AS PER THE 8TATUTES~ AND WAS CALLED hPLAQUE DE MERITE~(PLAQUE OF MERIT). THIS ASSOCIATION MOST LIKELY DOES NOT EXIST ANY MORE° THE BADGES WERE MADE IN PARIS.

Inferences  that the private society design copies a Bulgarian precursor seem accurate if Klietmann's report is correct.

Liverpool Medals had a star for sale some years ago as did Patrice Reboul.   Among other places, several badges may be found illustrated in old [1970's-'80's] Klenau auction catalogs.

Edited November 7, 2017 by 922F
correct edit

[Graf]

Hi 922F,,

This is very interesting information.

 

Currently I am following few links to solve the mystery of those Sets and Crosses with blue enamel

 

One of the link I call  French Connection There is a rumor (not proved) that they might have been made in Paris, France If this private society copied the Bulgarian Order of SS Cyril and Methodius and it was founded in 1952 It might explain the Origin of the blue enamel Crosses.I do not have any of those Klenau Auction Catalogs

 

If you have any pictures and more visual information it will be great to list them

Graf

[922F]

Hi Graf, 

If you are an OMSA member you may see the images Klietmann mentions  at http://www.omsa.org/files/download.php?file=JOMSA_Vol10_4.pdf&stream=true&year=1959  page 5. Somewhere I have images of at least the Liverpool star and a couple of the badges as well--can not say when I'll locate them!    I have NEVER been able to trace the organization that Klietmann mentions in spite of many efforts.   

There was a story [maybe published in a 1960's-70's Sabretache?]  mentioned by Colonel Delchoff [a French collector died in the late 1970's-early '80's] that these pieces related to a 1920's-'30's Russian exile group associated with Grand Duke Kiril of Russia in Paris.   However, that ribbon was identified as a dark salmon/brown color.  Rothe had that ribbon in stock from about 1960-86.  

[Graf]

Hi 922F

Thank you for the link It is a very interesting information.

Now the question is who was first the egg or the hen i.e. whether the the Setts and the Crosses of the Order of SS Cyril and Methodius with blue enamel existed before the Stars and Crosses of this private society or other way around, someone (could be the French Maker) used the society left over decorations and crated new Model of the Bulgarian order.

 Graf

[new world]

On 11/6/2017 at 02:54, Graf said:

Hi Guys,

 

Here is a interesting information i would not make nay comments at this stage

 

Opinions are welcomed

 

A prototype/demonstration Cross was sold in 2010 on XV Auction of La Galerie Numiqmatique 

ORDER OF SAINT CYRIL AND METHODIUS

A manufacturer's demonstration badge. Reverse of this very rare order in bronze gilt and one-side enameled, center with enamel painting, dim. 60 x 60 mm. In perfect condition.I

Price 200 EURO plus com

 

Graf

This cross is similar to the one in the book from 1959, yet there are differences - i.e. loop is not the same.

Now there's also a star with similar cross.

I am curious what "K" stands for?

Also, the crown does not look Bulgarian, it resembles Russian Imperial crown. Perhaps these insignia were made by some Russian emigrant organization?  

 

[922F]

New World,

Good questions.....Finishing details like the loop may well have changed during subsequent manufacture--especially if some insignia originally had  a trophy of arms or Ladies' bow suspension as Klietmann states. 

The "K" could be for either Kiril or Konstantine and the Russian appearing Crown could also represent a Byzantine Crown.  Both possibilities support the options in posts 191 and 193 above.    

[new world]

Fake Cyril and Methodius Prize medal from Socialism times. Was supposed to be made out of gold. Very rare award, with just a handful given.

 

This example is a fake though. Look at the pitted areas of the surface, which indicates cast medal. Real ones were stamped and had smooth, even surface.

 

  

Edited November 9, 2017 by new world

[Graf]

Hi Guys,

 

i just discovered that this strange  Set of SS Cyril and Methodius was sold or re-sold in 2014 on La Galerie Numismatique Auction I am not sure whether this is another Set or the same Set was re-sold over and over again

 

For the first time we can see some marks on the pin of the Star

 

[new world]

4 hours ago, Graf said:

For the first time we can see some marks on the pin of the Star

 

 

 

hi Graf,

I don't believe that was the mark from the star. What is shown - just a fragment of the pin, there is no full shot of the reverse of the star. That mark looks like it is by C.F. Rothe, Wien, which is of course Austro-Hungarian manufacturer. However, in the description this set is noted as French made:

'Sash Badge, 60 mm, gilt silver, pale blue enameled arms with finely outlined border, the medallion's outer circlet with dark blue enameled "EX ORIENTE LUX" motto and centre in the finest enamel miniature painting, red enameled fl ames superimposed by gilt fl eurs de lys, the reverse centre's outer circlet with dark blue enameled "XVIII - MAJUS MDCCCCIX" the medallion with bright red translucent enamel on chiseled ground and gilt Royal Cipher, typical suspension loop and original, light orange silk sash. Breast Star, 77 mm, silver, with chiseled and pierced rays, red enameled, gold "seraphim" centre (the face, in the best enamel miniature painting, minor chip), red enameled, gold fl ames, superimposed by fl eurs de lys, plain reverse with rivets, screws and pin. An outstandingly rare, original group of French manufacture, in extremely fine condition! IRR!'

CF Rothe was maker of official classic C&M awards. 

 

Also, it's a bit strange mark, as two stamps appear to be swapped - 'Wien' is before 'C.F. Rothe'. On the awards I've seen it's always other way around - 'C.F. Rothe' before 'Wien'. This could indicate fake mark, as seen on some counterfeit awards.

 

Edited November 11, 2017 by new world

[Yankee]

On 11/11/2017 at 07:00, new world said:

hi Graf,

I don't believe that was the mark from the star. What is shown - just a fragment of the pin, there is no full shot of the reverse of the star. That mark looks like it is by C.F. Rothe, Wien, which is of course Austro-Hungarian manufacturer. However, in the description this set is noted as French made:

'Sash Badge, 60 mm, gilt silver, pale blue enameled arms with finely outlined border, the medallion's outer circlet with dark blue enameled "EX ORIENTE LUX" motto and centre in the finest enamel miniature painting, red enameled fl ames superimposed by gilt fl eurs de lys, the reverse centre's outer circlet with dark blue enameled "XVIII - MAJUS MDCCCCIX" the medallion with bright red translucent enamel on chiseled ground and gilt Royal Cipher, typical suspension loop and original, light orange silk sash. Breast Star, 77 mm, silver, with chiseled and pierced rays, red enameled, gold "seraphim" centre (the face, in the best enamel miniature painting, minor chip), red enameled, gold fl ames, superimposed by fl eurs de lys, plain reverse with rivets, screws and pin. An outstandingly rare, original group of French manufacture, in extremely fine condition! IRR!'

CF Rothe was maker of official classic C&M awards. 

 

Also, it's a bit strange mark, as two stamps appear to be swapped - 'Wien' is before 'C.F. Rothe'. On the awards I've seen it's always other way around - 'C.F. Rothe' before 'Wien'. This could indicate fake mark, as seen on some counterfeit awards.

 

Anything marked CFR, CF Rothe is post WWI.  These pieces are nothing more than post war replacements, copies,  fakes, etc  but they are not from the time of the Monarchy.  So so many dealers treat these marks as genuine A-H Monarchy period.  I suspect many dealers just don't know and push the narrative its a Rothe so it has to be good.