Where can I find a miniature of a grand officer of the Star of Ethiopia?

[JohanH]

Hello!

 

I recently purchased a miniature chain to a highly decorated Swedish chamberlain who received the grand officer of the Star of Ethiopia in 1924. 

Unfortunately this miniature is missing from the chain and I would like to complete it. 

 

I have tried google but I haven't found any miniatures that fits. So if anyone can help me in any way it would be greatly appreciated. 

 

BR
Johan

[oamotme]

Johan,

 

Occasionally OSE miniatures appear on E-Bay France.

 

From the date you mention the Chamberlain would have received the order during Ras Tafari's visit to Sweden. As the Regent to Empress Zawditu he visited Europe in 1924. During this tour there were various exchanges of orders - Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg and United Kingdom. He visited Sweden, 7-13 June – an exchange of awards was made with King Gustav V, 1858-1959, – I have no details but it is known that Ras Tefari received the Order of the Seraphim.  I believe the King would have received the Order of the Seal of Solomon but have to date no firm evidence.

 

I attach a picture of the GO OSE awarded to the Joseph Bech the Prime Minister of Luxembourg in May 1924 - on display at the Luxembourg City Museum. The GO OSE is almost certainly by Bertrand of Paris and I would suggest the Swedish Chamberlain would have received the same model. I believe the King would have received the Order of the seal of Solomon but have to date no firm evidence.

 

Regards,

 

Owain

[JohanH]

Thank you Owain for the tip!

I shall keep an eye out on ebay.fr if one turns up now that I know what to look for. 

 

Haile Selassie received the order of the Seraphim on June 10 1924. 

 

Below is a photo of the Order of Salomon that King Gustaf V received. It is currently in the royal collection (Livrustkammaren). 

 

 

[oamotme]

Johann,

 

Thanks for the image  - interesting to note the badge is different from the one given to King Badouin which is a more skeletal design.  Is there an image of the breast star?

I have tried the Livrustkammaren website but can find no images of the King's awards.

 

Thanks,

 

Owain

[JohanH]

The search function on Livrustkammaren is not the easiest to use.

But I cannot find any picture of the breast star that was awarded to King Gustaf V. 

 

But there are a few pictures awarded to King Gustaf VI Adolf 1935:

http://emuseumplus.lsh.se/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=52154&viewType=detailView

 

 

http://emuseumplus.lsh.se/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=52155&viewType=detailView

 

And the chain collar awarded to King Gustav VI Adolf in 1954:

http://emuseumplus.lsh.se/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=52158&viewType=detailView

 

http://emuseumplus.lsh.se/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=52159&viewType=detailView

 

 

http://emuseumplus.lsh.se/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=52160&viewType=detailView

 

Edited April 7, 2021 by JohanH
Links not working

[JohanH]

I found a photo of the breast star. 

 

http://emuseumplus.lsh.se/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=38076&viewType=detailView

 

 

 

[oamotme]

Johan,

 

Your query concerning the miniature has resulted in a revealing great images  - for which I am most grateful. I am working on a history of the Order of the Seal of Solomon and these images are most welcome.

 

My sincere thanks to you.

 

Kind regards,

 

Owain

[1812 Overture]

I have only seen this type of officer-level Ethiopian star on the forum

[JohanH]

That is a very impressive miniature chain!

[oamotme]

Good morning,

 

This group, from Ambassador Mesfin Abebe is in my collection and consists of the following:

 

·         Ethiopia – Order of the Star of Ethiopia – Commander (3^rd Class)

·         Ethiopia – Order of Menelik II – Officer (4^th Class)

·         Ethiopia – Emperor Haile Selassie I Silver Jubilee Medal, 1955

·         United Kingdom – The Royal Victorian Order- Knight Commander (2^nd Class)

·         Japan - Order of the Rising Sun – Grand Officer (2^nd Class)

·         Federal Republic of Germany – Order of Merit - Grand Officer (2^nd Class)

·         Republic of Sudan – Order of the Republic – Commander (3^rd Class)

·         Brazil – Order of the Southern Cross – Commander (3^rd Class)

·         Greece – Order of George I – Commander (3^rd Class)

·         France – National Order of Merit – Officer (4^th Class)

·         Yugoslavia – Order of the Yugoslav Flag – Officer (4^th Class)

·         Jordan – Order of Renaissance – Commander (3^rd Class)

·         Czechoslovakia – Order of the White Lion – Commander (3^rd Class)

 

In my research correspondence with a colleague, Greg Copley, President of the International Society for the Imperial Ethiopian Orders, allowed him the raise the matter with H.I.H. Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, Honorary Patron of the Society, and who, “asked me to pass on his remembrances of Ambassador Mesfin Abebe which you may wish to quote in your story and to add some texture” to the research on this group.

 

“Mesfin Abebe was Imperial Ethiopian Ambassador to Greece in the early 1970s, and he would receive my Mother and I when we visited Athens. In 1975, when the Dergue's revolution began to bite, he moved with his family to the United Kingdom, where he was granted political asylum. He was a devout monarchist, and in exile in the UK he met frequently with my Uncle, the late Emperor Amha Selassie I, who was also in exile at that time in the UK. He was a highly-respected figure, and was good friends with Maj.-Gen. Nega Tegegne (who fought the Dergue with the Ethiopian Democratic Union forces) and Maj.-Gen. Nega Haile-Selassie (who was a major figure in suppressing the coup attempt in 1960), as well as Ras Andargachew Mesai, who was the husband of Prince Tenagne-Worq, the Emperor's oldest child. He was also a devout Orthodox Christian. Without being overtly political, he was — as someone so opposed to the Dergue — always of counsel to those fighting the communist Dergue.”

 

“He was a quiet, dignified, sophisticated, and well-educated man. He was gentle and soft-spoken, but with a good sense of humour. He was highly social and sociable. He believed in service and duty. He was a career foreign service officer within the Protocol Department, which accounts for his trips accompanying His Imperial Majesty on the many State visits on which he was decorated. He was fluent in French, Greek, English, and, I believe, Italian, in addition to Amharic. I have lost track of his family, but I believe that he was survived by his two daughters.”

 

Regards, Owain

[922F]

Hello Owain, 

Ambassador Abebe's group certainly has found an excellent home.  Thank you for sharing this enlightening information!   

Edited April 25, 2021 by 922F
splcheck

[oamotme]

Good morning,

 

I attach an image of a group which includes the Order of the Star - this was for sale recently at the Ader auction in Paris - I was not the purchaser!

 

Owain

[JohanH]

Nice mini bar!

 

I have found a miniature that I think is the correct one I need. I haven't mounted it on the chain yet but I think it will look nice. 

 

 

 

 

[oamotme]

Johan, Looks good - a nice period piece - well made - silver gilt with mark on ring. Regards, Owain

[1812 Overture]

congratulations! It looks great, and it also has a mark

[JohanH]

The marks on the ring are Swedish hallmarks and maker marks. As far as I have found, only 8 swedes received the grand officer of the Star of Ethiopia. 

 

Here it is mounted on the chain with the other miniatures. 

The one missing is probably the commemorative medal of the kings jubilee 1928. I think I have a spare mini of that one somewhere. When I find it I will mount it to complete the chain. 

[oamotme]

Johan,

Lovely chain - the OSE looks great!

Owain

[JohanH]

Thank you Owain!

 

The chain belonged to chamberlain Gregor Carl Georg Aminoff. Born 1872 and died 1934.

I also have the miniature bar that belonged to his son Georg Aminoff. 

 

[oamotme]

Johan,

 

Nice portrait photograph.

 

On looking again at the chain are two miniatures missing?

 

Either side of the Swedish medal at the right?

 

Owain

[JohanH]

The photograph is from the collection of the Swedish war museum. 

 

I have thought about the same thing myself and I don't think there are two miniatures missing. 

All of Aminoffs awards is on the chain except for a commander grade of the North star order. But he would wear that one around his neck so that might explain why it's not on the chain. 

 

I think that the brighter part of the chain where it looks like a miniature once was is the place where the two chains have been soldered together. There is a similar bright part on the other end of the chain too. 

 

And finally, if there has been a bracket for another miniature, then it must have been cut of by a jeweller or similar. My guess would be that a person in Aminoffs position would have the chain totally re-done rather than just cutting of a bracket.