Unknown Arab breast star

[JBFloyd]

Can someone help by identifying this breast star, please? I've looked through my obvious sources and cannot track it down.

[922F]

Likely a local souk made, second type [1956] Tunisian Order of Independence star. Maybe altered from a Nichan Iftikhir star? Order of Independence Insignia obviously copied from Nichan Iftikhir. Red enamel usually darker and principal star rays red enameled as well. (c.f. Royal Ark website---[http://www.royalark.net/Tunisia/orders.htm]. Image there apparently made from reversed 'negative', so central inscription in mirror image.)

Edited November 26, 2013 by 922F

[JBFloyd]

Many thanks for the info.

[paul wood]

Hopefully Owian will be able to translate the inscription.

Paul

[922F]

Paul, الإستقلال translates as "Istiqual" or "Istiqlal" -- Independence.

The original September,1956 statutes described insignia as the same as that then current for the Nichan Iftikhir -- later [December, 1956?] revisions supposedly replaced all green enamel where it exists in Nichan Iftikhir insignia with red enamel. It appears that very few pieces with all red enamel and the Bey's name in the center have been seen -- they may be mules or fabrications made on behalf of various pretenders to the Beydom or for collectors.

Next, maybe July 1957, with proclaimation of the Republic, the Tunisian coat-of-arms replaced the Bey's name, the bow suspension disappeared [sometimes!] from the lower classes, and the ribbon became white with 3 central red stripes and a red stripe at the edge. Some insignia bears the word الإستقلال along the bottom of the "motto ring".

The word الإستقلال [Independence] replaced the coat-of-arms in 1959 era statute revisions and the ribbon changed to red with 2 white edge stripes in a pattern similar to the Nichan Iftikhir.

References sometimes muddle these changes: Werlich's second edition appendix "A", naturally, describes 1970s insignia & Burke switches image captions.

Though Bourguiba gave lip-service to the monarchy during the independence struggle, it was clear that he intended to replace it with a republic [led by him for over 30 years!] as soon as possible after independence from France. Image below shows him wearing a 2nd type [1957 Republic] grand cross set.

Edited November 26, 2013 by 922F

[paul wood]

Thanks for the info most helpful.

Paul

[oamotme]

Jeff,

As Paul notes "Independence" - it would appear for reasons of economy or speed the old Order of Glory award was used and just the centre changed. The star you illustrate has a somewhat different design to the more commonly seen versions of the order - see attached.

Regards,

Owain

[Igor Ostapenko]

Can someone help by identifying this breast star, please? I've looked through my obvious sources and cannot track it down.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/62767-medals-store/