Iranian medal?

[JBFloyd]

This one doesn't appear in any source that I can find.  It is vaguely similar in appearance to the Iranian Order of Gratitude, which is why I will tentatively identify it as Iranian.

Does anyone have a solid identification/name for this one?

[Dave Danner]

The tulips are a common Shi'ite motif. It appears to say "farhang" (فرهنگ), which means "culture" in Persian.

[Paul R]

Very attractive medal.  Anyone know what it was awarded for?  Lets see the reverse!

[JBFloyd]

The reverse is blank, with a small circular backplate. No maker's or fineness marks.  Based on Dave's helpful translation, and in the absence of any documentary evidence to the contrary, I'll refer to it as The Order of Culture.

[Lukasz Gaszewski]

Yes, it is the Medal (rather than order) of Culture from the imperial era. Awarded for cultural achievement and quite popular. Dave is right : the inscription reads "farhang", ie. "culture" in Farsi. Not sure about the ribbon. Most copies I have seen had either the Iranian tricolour or no ribbon at all. Will you please show the other side together with the ribbon? What is its width?

[JBFloyd]

Here is the reverse. The ribbon is 40mm.

 

[JBFloyd]

"Medal of Culture" - thanks to all.

[oamotme]

Jeff, Lukasz, Paul, Dave,

I think there are/were 4 classes - yours is, I think, a 2nd Class - see attached photo for 1st, 3rd & 4th class. Sorry about the quality but these were in my collection but disposed of some time ago. The 3rd Class has the manufacturer "Pars Nishan Factory Tehran" on the reverse (Nishan is Farsi for Order). Of course this may all be supposition.

There is also a similar order for Art / Letters / Music, but I am not sure of the correct title - although in Farsi it is "Nishan Honar" (??) - see attached - probably/possibly follows the same sequence as the Order of Culture.

To confuse matters further there is I believe a specific Medal of Art in 3 classes - see attached image of the 3rd Class.

Regards,

Owain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 17, 2015 by oamotme

[JBFloyd]

Owain,

Further thanks, especially for the images.

[Ulsterman]

I believe this is the contemporary Republican version...

[922F]

Fellow in post 10 above wears officer insignia of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, established 1957.    

[oamotme]

Dear Ulsterman, I have a sneaking feeling this is a French award - Order of Art and Letters. Regards, Owain

[Karolina Smith]

Jeff Floyd  This is a medal of the Ministry of High Education Pahlavi Era

این یک مدال وزارت فرهنگ وآموزش عالی سال (شاهنشاهی-۲۵۳۳) است‎

 

[JBFloyd]

More information is always good.  Thanks.