Turkey Turkish Order Nishani Shefkat

[JBFloyd]

A "happy snap" of a spectacular first class star of the Turkish Order of Charity, a women's order. Missing a couple of gems, but not something you see every day.

Edited June 30, 2006 by JBFloyd

[JBFloyd]

I'll try to get a photo of a third class badge as well.

Edited June 30, 2006 by JBFloyd

[JBFloyd]

See later posting below.

Edited June 30, 2006 by JBFloyd

[Stogieman]

Hi Jeff, missing one photo, but the one up there is spectacular!

[JBFloyd]

I seem to have beaten the image into submission.

It's a third class of the Nishani Shefkat.

Edited June 30, 2006 by JBFloyd

[Daniel Murphy]

Hi Jeff, missing one photo, but the one up there is spectacular!

You can say that again! Thank you for posting these,they are quite magnificent. One question though, on the third class the star is point up and on the first class the star is point down. Is this correct or has the center device come loose on the 1st Class?

Dan Murphy

[JBFloyd]

They are illustrated in the correct orientations (single point up on the third class and point down on the first class).

[Guest Rick Research]

That star is as nifty as the Imperial Brazilian Ordrer of the Rose!!!

Any jewellers' marks on these? Turkish or European made?

[Josef Rietveld]

@JBFloyd

WOWWWWWWWWWW

what a snap, what a beauty, can we have a picture of the backside?

Haynau

[Ed_Haynes]

Beauties.

Coming in a "friendly neighborhood auction"? Need to "restore" one (and - - a Crown of India) in a broken group (thanks, Nimrod).

[JBFloyd]

After a new scanner, the reverse of the first class star.

[JBFloyd]

And the reverse of the third class badge.

[Stogieman]

Beautiful orders and one I have not seen before. When and what were these awarded for?

[JBFloyd]

The Nishani Shefkat was established in 1878 as an award to women for heroism, sacrifices, helping theneedy and nursing the sick and wounded. It was awarded through the end of the empire. It went to both Turkish citizens and foreigners (one went to Mrs Lloyd Griscom, wife of the US ambassador c.1904, for here work in aiding earthquake victims.

[Ed_Haynes]

The broken group (Winifred, Lady Hardinge of Penshurst, C.I., K.i.H.) that lives with me, misisng its Shefkat (among others).

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2400&st=3

[avsaribar]

Dear Friends ,

I feel my self to add some correct information on this old topic , but it is very important , there is a big mistake here ,

the one above which was mentioned like 3th class Shevkat order , is not an 3th Class Shevkat order , it is an 1 st Class order.

Both the pictures , I mean the one with diamonds is a Breast Star of the 1 st Class Shevkat order and the one , look like a only star on the

neck ribbon is a 1st Class Order of Shevkat , they even can be set with the Breast Star.

Shevkat Orders Total 3 Classes ;

1st Class - ( 2 Pieces Set ) - The Star only made of Solid Gold + The Breast Star , Made of Gold , Silver , Dimonds and Rubbies. ( Saffired Versions also seen) , ( Only diamonds without Rubbies also seen)

( ONLY the 1 st Class Shevkats have this Naked Star (They can come with sash ort neck ribbon , doesnt matter they are 1st Class + plus Breast Star )

2nd Class - ( 1 piece , not set ) - Made of Gold - Silver - Diamonds - Rubbies.

3th Class - ( 1 piece , not set ) - Made of Gold - Silver - Enameled Leafs

All the Best

Avsar Ibar

[Taz]

The Order of Charity (Shefkat Nishani) - Instituted in 1878 by Sultan Abdulhamid II in three classes, this order was reserved for females. It was given in recognition of charitable work, or as a token of the Sultan's esteem.

Badge:

A five pointed star in gold, red enameled, with ball finials and a central medallion in gold bearing the tughra of Abdulhamid II. Around the central medallion is a green enameled band with the words "Humanity, Assistance, Patriotism". The badge is suspended from a small red enameled crescent and star.

The second and third class badges, and the star of the first class, have faceted rays between the points of the star, and a wreath of laurels with berries in red and green across the rays.

The third class is silver, gold and enamels, while the second class is set with jewels.

The first class breast star, which is much larger than the other badges, is set with diamonds, and the berries on the laurel wreath are set with rubies rather than enameled.

The first class badge does not have rays between the arm, and is worn on a sash in conjunction with the breast star.

The second class badge is worn on a neck ribbon, and the third class on a bow ribbon, attached to the clothing with metal prongs on the back of the suspension device.

Some examples of the second and third class badges are known to be set with real diamonds, while others use glass pastes. These variants are jeweler copies, and are often found with European jewelers' marks, or unmarked. Likewise, badges are found in gold, silver gilt, or bronze gilt. There are also variants of the second or third class made by Coro, a well known maker of costume jewelry, which feature a red enameled center medallion with a white enameled surround, and no enamel on the star, as well as floral scrolls between the rays of the stars. While these may have been made as private purchase pieces, they may also have been merely decorative and should be regarded as jewelry, rather than orders. Ribbon: White with green/red/green stripes toward the edges.

Description from: http://www.turkishmedals.net/orders.htm

Image CO Sotherbys.

[avsaribar]

Dear Taz ,

Thanks for the detailed info , I hope we make it more clear right now about Shevkat Orders.

All the Best,

Avsar Ibar

Ibar Jewellery and Antiques

Ps : The above pictures ,

The first picture (The lonely star) is a 1st Class Shevkat Order.

The second picture , below the 1st Class Order is a 2nd Class Shevkat Order .

The third picture , on the right of the 2nd Class order is a 1ST CLASS Shevkat BREAST STAR.

If somebody needs more detailed pictures or information about Shevkat Orders , please do not

hesitate to ask me. I LOVE THEM TOO MUCH !!! info@avsaribar.com

Edited January 1, 2009 by avsaribar