Japan I wonder what happened with this Order of Precious Crown

[JapanX]

I’ve always been under the impression that 7^th and 8^th classes of Precious Crown order were seamless …

Like this one

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

And then I saw this piece …

Ordinary order with the exception of central medallion

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Everything else seems to be in order.

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

How it is actually possible (i.e. if this order indeed was seamless)?

[Rogi]

Just taking a wild guess, maybe a prototype or something to use for the mold itself.

[JapanX]

Prototype?

But why then we have these traces of gluing on the back of the ribbon (obviously this piece was glued to the display)...

Maybe it is simply "half-finished product"?

But then again why somebody glued it?!

[utopis]

http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u60878831

This curiosity is still floating around.

Nick, did you came up with a possible explanation in the meantime?

[JapanX]

Well, the only explanation I have: crown is a separate part of order not only in 1st-6th classes, but also in two lower classes

[utopis]

Seems reasonable and should be easy to confirm. Maybe you should inspect your lower classes again

I have no crowns so I'm out.

[JapanX]

Seems reasonable ...

In my young days they called me Mr.Reasonability!

Seriously!

Maybe you should inspect your lower classes again

Already done it (am I one reasonable guy? You bet! )

If it is soldering, then it is really high quality soldering ...

Unfortunately my lower classes are in deep dark patina.

[utopis]

Not only the soldering. Those incredibly delicate strings on the bottom of the crown must be cutouts, then.

Edited December 26, 2013 by utopis

[JapanX]

Yep, you incredibly delicate indeed!

[utopis]

Ah, but I don't think that this is all to it. Look again The bottom strings are connected to the frame circle. the rays on the top are very flat. I think this one is indeed stamped as a whole piece.

Edited December 26, 2013 by utopis

[utopis]

But this one on the other hand has no connection to the frame and the rays on the top are very distinct. The crown looks really like another piece that was soldered to the base. Also the strings seem more massive. These could probably be cut out without braking off.

[JapanX]

Well, I don't know.

I will get a microscope and will "look into it" (sounds reasonable? )

[utopis]

In conclusion I'd say that there are some that are multipart constructions and others are stamped as one piece.

[JapanX]

Yes, piece in post #2 indeed looks like wholestamped piece with less detailed crown (compared to the piece in post #19 that looks like multi construction piece).

[JapanX]

Ok.

About this microscope ...

Let`s do it!

Here we have another 8th class from Showa epoch (nothing special, but nice patina )

Case

[JapanX]

[JapanX]