Colombia, Republic. An Order of Boyaca, Grand Cross, by Arthus Bertrand, c.1960

(Oden de Boyaca). Instituted August 6, 1930. A Grand Cross Set, featuring a silver cross pattee with blue enamel arms, the obverse medallion presents a high relief bust of Simon Bolivar facing left in silver, surrounded by a blue enamel ring inscribed ORDEN DE BOYACA, the reverse medallion features the inscription REPUBLICA DE COLOMBIA, measures 55.42mm (w) x 60.55mm (h – inclusive of integral ball atop 12 o’clock arm), weighs 44.1 grams, enamel chips on both the obverse and reverse medallions, dark patina, worn on the original ribbon with bow (bow unattached from rest of sash), in near very fine condition. The Breast Star, in silver, features a sixteen-point star of alternating smooth and faceted clusters of rays, the obverse medallion depicts a blue enamelled cross pattee with central bust of Simon Bolivar, with encircling inscription ORDEN DE BOYACA, the reverse presents a single vertical pin with dual stays, the medallion engraved ARTHUS BERTRAND PARIS, measures 78.4mm (w) x 78.46mm (h), weighs 101.6 grams, enamels intact, dark patina, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of Boyaca (Orden de Boyacá) was instituted on August 6, 1930. The statutes were approved in 1954, and the Collar was created in 1980. The Grand Master is the President of the Republic. The Order was firstly awarded on August 8, 1819, to soldiers who fought on the Battle of Boyaca in 1819, a decisive battle that ensured the success of Bolívar's campaign to liberate New Granada. However, the Order was ignored for the rest of the 19th century until 1930 when it was re-instituted.