Imperial Order of the Southern Cross, Grand Cross Breast Star
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.BRA.00119.102.01.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
Of French manufacture, an exquisitely produced sash badge in Gold, with five white enameled arms each with dual ball finials, Gold laurels with green enamels and red flowers, obverse centre in Gold presenting the bust of Petrus I with blue enamel surround, reverse centre also in Gold with a blue enameled background and individually enameled white stars forming the Southern Cross, dark blue enamel surround with Latin "BENEMERENTIUM PRAEMIUM", with stylized elongated crown also in Gold with enameled jewels, measuring 59.8 mm (w) x 90 mm (h - inclusive of swivel crown and horizontally pierced suspension ball adorned by cross), 33.9 grams, Gold loop, minor enamel loss to obverse blue enamel surround, with period section of light blue silk sash, better than extremely fine. Accompanied by breast star in Gold, with five white enameled arms, each with dual ball finials, sun burst design in each quadrant consisting of both smooth and hand etched rays, large centre also in Gold with light blue enameled background with finely detailed cross composed of silver stars, dark blue enamel surround with Latin "BENEMERENTIUM PRAEMIUM", seperately affixed Gold crown with enameled jewels, reverse with fine pin assembly, measuring 60 mm (w) x 75 mm (h - inclusive of crown), 29.2 grams, with period enamel repair to 12 o'clock arm which now exhibits hairline cracking, otherwise very fine. https://www.emedals.com/south-america/brazil/orders/brazil-kingdom-an-order-of-the-southern-cross-in-gold-grand-cross-c-1850
The Imperial Order of the Southern Cross (Ordem Imperial do Cruzeiro) was founded by Emperor Pedro I in commemoration of the recent independence of Brazil from the Portuguese crown, and on the occasion of his coronation as the new Emperor of Brazil. The first Order's Knights were accepted the same day.
It was the first Brazilian Order without relation to the Portuguese crown. It was awarded to military personnel of the Brazilian Imperial Army and Navy who significantly served the nation. It was considered the most honorable Order of merit in the country. In order of precedence, it was third after the two ancients military orders.
The grades were Grand Cross limited to 12 members; Dignitary limited to 45 members; Officer limited to 320 members; and Knight.
This Order was abolished by decree on March 22, 1891.
The Order was re-established as the National Order of the Southern Cross (Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sul) on December 5, 1932 by President Getulio Vargas. It was the first republican Order founded in the country.
The Order is currently awarded to foreign civilians and military personnel for distinguished services to the nation. The new grades are Grand Cordon, Collar, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight.
In MedalBook, the Order is classified into types. Type I includes the awards of the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross, while Type II includes the awards of the National Order of the Southern Cross, and there is an extremely rare intermediate type granted between 1889 and 1891 by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, with a red star in the center of the wreath of tobacco and coffee leaves in the top.
In Type I, the awards are very scarce and have a high cost in the market.
It was awarded to men who fought in the Paraguayan War (1860-1870) and to allied army.
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