Catalog - Auction 68 - The Western Powers

1

ORDER OF SANTA AGATHA
Grand Officer's Set, instituted in 1923. Neck Badge, 54x49 mm, gilt Silver, enameled, original loop and ribbon. Breast Star, 72 mm, Silver and gilt Silver, maker's mark "Alberti & C. - ROMA", diamond cut rays, superimposed parts gilt, enameled, thin pin on reverse and two side hooks, together with lapel hole rosette, in original case of issue by "Alberti & C. - Milano" with gilt weapon on the lid. Beautiful complete set, in mint condition! I

1

Cross for the Defense of Rosas, 1808
Officer’s Cross, 72x45 mm., gilt Bronze, ball-tipped cross, with rose enameled arms, surmounted by a green enameled laurel wreath, on the white obverse medallion, an image of the breach in the wall of the fortress of Rosas, above which is a Spanish flag, the whole within white enameled outer circlet inscribed “CON BRECHA ME DEFENDI”, on the reverse, blue enameled medallion, three red roses within enameled outer circlet inscribed “A los DEFENSORES DE ROSAS POR FERNANDO VII”, with original, silk ribbon. A very rare campaign cross from the Napoleonic wars, instituted by Royal Decree from May 2nd, 1821 as a reward to the meritorious defenders of the fortress of Rosas and of the Castle of the St. Trinity, Catalunya under the command of Peter O’Daly, who fell on the field during the fierce combats against overwhelming Franco-Italian forces, excellent condition. I RR!

1

Honour and Merit Medal for the Battle of Tarancon, 1808
Officer’s Cross, 48X27 mm., gilt Bronze, for high-ranking Officers, as a slightly convex medallion, the obverse with white enameled centre bearing the inscription “INFAN / TERIA / INVENCI / BLE” within yellow enameled outer circlet bearing filnely miniature-painted laurel wreath, the whole within white enameled border, bearing the inscription “EN TARANCON DIA 25 DE DICIEMBRE DEL AÑO DE 1808”, on top, two crossed standards enameled white and blue resp. and a centre prong ending with an eight-pointed star with a loop beneath, retaining the round, suspension ring, concave reverse, deeply struck with maker’s mark; with original, red silk ribbon. An extremely rare medal, instituted on June 12th, 1815 by King Ferdinand VII as a reward for the engagement in battle of the troops under General Francisco Xavier de Venegas excellent condition. I RR!

1

Honour and Merit Medal for the Battle of Tamames, 1809
Officer’s Cross, 39X27 mm., gilt Bronze,for high-ranking officers as an oval medallion, its field enameled in yellow with a gold-outlined arm, its sleeve enameled in blue with red enameled cuff, its hand holding a golden sword, around a blood-red enameled, cursive inscription “Venció en Tamames Oct.18 de 1809”, the whole surrounded by a green enameled, downwardly arranged, green enameled laurel wreath and a “Savoy’s knot” below, smooth, slightly concave reverse, on top, sphaerical loop and round suspension ring and original, silk ribbon. A very rare decoration, instituted by King Ferdinand VII on July 2nd, 1815 as a reward to the troops of the army led by Martin Carrera, excellent condition. I RR!

1

Cross for the Battle of Chiclana, 1811
Officer’s Cross, 18 x 22,5 mm., gilt Bronze, triangular cross on both sides with black enameled centre, crossed by laurel bars and red border, ball finials, hinged, upper crown of pointed type with enameled details, the obverse base with inscriprion “CHICLANA” and to the reverse, “5 DE MARZO DE 1811”, strong loop and grooved ribbon ring and original ribbon. A very rare commemorative decoration, instituted in 1815, excellent condition. I RR!

1

A Medals Bar
Silver Cross of María Isabel Luisa of a British-made quality, uniquely engraved to the arms “GALLANTRY” to the obverse arms, 40 x 27 mm., plain reverse, engraved with “San Sebastian”, original, silk ribbon with engraved bar. Medal for San Sebastian 1836, as awarded to the British Auxiliary Legion, 37 mm., Silver, with original ribbon with six Campaign Bars, from May 4th, to October 1st, 1836, both mounted for wear with rectangular, silver clasp. A beautiful, extremely rare group, excellent condition. I RR!

1

Medal for San Sebastian, 1836
Breast Badge, 16 mm., Silver, of reduced size; on the obverse of the medal is a lion passant, encircled by a collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece, surrounded by the inscription “ESPANA AGRADECIDA”; on the reverse, a cross pattee with crowns in each angle, in the centre of which is “SAN SEBASTIAN 5 DE MAYO 1836”, surrounded by a laurel wreath; with original ribbon. A very medal, awarded to the members of a British artillery unit, participating to the Carlist war, assisting the Spanish Queen Isabel II. It is remembered that this expedition was ill-fated to the British participants, due to the bad climate and environment where they operated. Very few of these medals survived. I RR!

1

Commemorative Cross for the Epidemy in Valencia, 1838
Breast Badge, 37 mm., Silver, eight-pointed, ball-tipped star with pebbled ground, smooth centre medallion with moulded border, bearing the inscription “PALUZIE AL MERITO VALENCIA 1838”; upper, bow-shaped loop, round, link ring of flattened section and round suspension ring, with original, silk ribbon. An interesting, very rare decoration from the Carlist wars, extremely fine condition. I RR!

1

The Order of Calatrava
Miniature, 13x9 mm., GOLD, of oval form, white enameled, obverse bearing the Order’s cross of translucent, red enamel, chiseled, golden border, concave, polished border, with cylindical suspension loop and round, ribbon ring. A beautiful miniature, that can be dated to the first decade of 19th Century, excellent condition. I R!

1

The Order of the Golden Fleece
Neck Badge, 110x51 mm., GOLD, with excellently chiseled and engraved fleece with polished, thick tubular suspension loop, linked to the red enameled flames, spreading from a blue enameled oval, with golden, engraved ornamentation and upper, chiseled suspension as acanthus leaves, hinged to the suspension, made as an elaborate pattern enameled curves, red enameled « curtains » and rocailles, red enameled ribbon ring and original, long neck ribbon, complete with a beautiful « coulant » enriched by beautiful engravings and enamels. A very rare, exceptional decoration from the mid 19th Century, of the finest manufacture; excellent condition. I RR! Provenance: the estate of his Excellency Joaquín Baldomero Fernández-Espartero y Álvarez de Toro, Prince of Vergara, 1st Duke of la Victoria, 1st Duke of Morella, 1st Count of Luchana, 1st Viscount of Banderas (February 27th, 1793 – January 8th, 1879); Spanish general and politician, who actively participated to the Carlist wars, affirming the throne’s power through many important victories that granted his titles. Born in a humble family, his father was a carpenter, he was destined to become a priest, but his ambitious and aventurous character, led him to join a volunteer unit to fight against the Napoleonic invasion, starting his military career, from a certain point onwards, strictly connected to the desire of political power and recognition. After the Carlist wars, he choose to be part of progressive-libertarian factions, in the hope for reforms and modernization of the state. He was Regent of the Realm, three times Prime Minister, until 1858, when he left any active political involvement, besides being often called back to give his advise and word.

1

The Royal Order of Spain
Miniature, 13 mm., GOLD, red enameled, five-pointed star with ball finials, obverse centre medallion with the tower of Castille, within blue enameled outer circlet with golden inscription « JOS. NAP. HISP. ET. IND. REX lVS. »; reverse medallion with the lion of Leon, within blue enameled outer circlet bearing the motto « VIRTUTE ET FIDE », upper, sphaerical loop and smooth, round ribbon ring, this, struck with a mark, original ribbon. A beautiful, rare miniature, excellent condition. I RR!

1

Military Order of St. Ferdinand
Grand Cross Star with chiselled and pierced arms, 73 mm., flanked by green enameled laurel branches made of GOLD, rich centre medallion, granulated and beamed, with chiselled and enameled image of the saint in armour, pale blue outer circlet with the Orders motto in gold lettering and laurel branches, within beaded gold border, the reverse, fitted with horizontal pin. A superb star, in extremely fine condition and rare in this quality. I R!

1

Military Order of St. Ferdinand
Swords’ Cross. Breast Badge, 55 mm., GOLD, the blades with translucent red enamel, showing the fine chisel-work, richly elaborated hilts with baroque 282 crossguards and chequered grips, centered to a single, round, polished pommel, the reverese, fitted with golden pin. A beautifully-made piece, from the 1st quarter of 19th Century, excellent condition. I R!

1

Military Order of St. Ferdinand
Knight's Cross instituted in 1811. Breast Badge, 40x33 mm, GOLD, 7.6 g., enameled, center medallions enameled, GOLD, with fine detail, suspension with stylized palms, grooved ribbon ring, with fine original ribbon. Extremely fine! I

1

ORDER OF CHARLES III
Complete Set of Grand Cross of the Order. Sash Badge, 87x78 mm., GOLD, blue enameled, white bordered cross of Maltese type in gold with ball-finials, flanked by golden fleurs de lys, oval centre medallion with the image of the Holy Virgin in gold and enamels on a base of beams and blue border within polished gold edge, oval reverse medallion with the crowned monogram “C III” in gold on deep-blue enamel within white enameled border bearing the motto “VIRTUTI ET MERITO”, the upper arm, surmounted by a golden, oval laurel wreath, tied by a blue enameled ribbon below, suspension ring enameled with the order’s colours, with original sash ribbon. Breast Star, 86x84 mm., Silver with chieseled and pierced arms, oval centre in gold with polychrome enameled image of the Holy Virgin, standing on golden clouds and a background of enameled beams, blue enameled outer circlet, the lower half bearing a white enameled scroll with the Order’s motto “VIRTUTI ET MERITO” in golden lettering and a little oval with the monogram “C III”, slightly concave reverse with engraved counter-medallion, fitted with vertical pin, in the original, dark blue morocco case of issue with fitted inner compartment. A luxury-made set, rare in this quality, excellent condition. I RR! Provenance: the estate of Constantin Franz v. Neurath (1807 – 1876), Wurttembergian politician and state official, he took the post of Wurttemberg’s Foreign Minister and Minister of Justice, besides other important charges.

1

ORDER OF CHARLES III
Grand Cross Star in Prince size. Breast Star, 69x65 mm., with diamond-cut and pierced Silver arms with ball-finials, flanked by finely chiseled fleurs de lys, oval centre medallion in gold, embossed with a beaming pattern, with polychrome enameled image of the Holy Virgin, standing on a white enameled crescent resting on golden clouds, silver outer circlet with seven embossed 5-pointed stars above and blue enameled, golden scroll below, bearing the Order’s motto “VIRTUTI ET MERITO”, centered by the Roman numeral “III” between green enameled laurel wreath, polished reverse with concave, oval counter-medallion, round pin and two side- hooks, in the original, wine red octagonal case with convex lid and black velvet, fitted inner compartment. A beautiful star from the mid 19th Century, in the size as usually worn by Princes and high-ranking dignitaries from that time, excellent condition and quality. I R!

1

ORDER OF CHARLES III
Grand Cross Breast Star from the second part of the 19th Century, 86x81 mm, diamond-cut chiselled Silver cross, maker’s mark “G. Yraburo – Madrid”, flanked by fleurs-de-lys, oval centre medallion with the polychrome enameled image of the Holy Virgin, made of Gold, night-blue enameled outer circlet with the motto “VIRTUTI ET MERITO” with separately-made, chiselled Gold letters, reverse fitted with vertical, round pin and two side hooks. A beautiful star, of highest jeweller’y quality! I R!

1

ORDER OF CHARLES III
Prince Size Commander of the Number Star, 2nd Class, instituted in 1771. Breast Star, 61 mm, Silver with brilliant cut rays, partially repierced, partially enameled, central medallion silver and gilt, enameled, reverse with vertical thin pin. A rare reduced size star. I R!

1

ORDER OF CHARLES III
Numerary Commander’s Star. Breast Star, 59x57 mm., Silver cross flanked by fleurs-de-lys, engraved and chiselled imitating the embroidery, the arms with blue enameled details, oval centre medallion with the blue enameled monogram “C” within an oval of chiselled silver “sequines”, diamond-cut chiselled silver outer circlet, the reverse with convex counter-medallion, vertical, round pin. An attractive, curious and rare star of slightly reduced size, from the late 19th Century, extremely fine condition. I R!