Burma. An Order of Tsalwé, Badge of the Insignia in Gold

Instituted prior to 1784. A traditional Burmese decoration of honour in 22kt Gold, presenting in a triangular shaped award with highly intricate open relief work of oak leaves and acorns with strands of Gold drawing the eye to the central dragon. The reverse is plain hammered Gold, with a vertical bar down the center, nine small rings attached along the top left side and seven along the top left. The badge measures 98mm (w) x 63.85mm (h), weighs 40.6 grams, an extremely rare insignia in extremely fine condition.

Provenance: Previously presented in Andreas Thies in Catalogue 68, Lot 137.

Footnote: The Tsalwé or Salwe was a traditional Burmese decoration of honour which, although without direct parallels on the Western model, could be compared to a Knighthood. Regulations governing the award were issued in 1784 and the insignia was worn over the left shoulder and across the breast, in a similar manner to a conventional sash. The principal classes of the Order were indicated by the number of gold strands – 3, 6, 9 or 12 for non-Royal recipients. Princes of the Blood Royal received more strands according to their seniority while the King himself wore 24 strands (in two sets of 12). A narrative of an award ceremony states: Major-General Albert Fytche, the British Envoy to Burma, was invested with the Order at the Royal Palace in Mandalay during his first audience with the King, Mindon Min, on 11th October 1867.