Japan, Empire. An Early & Rare Order of the Golden Kite, III Class, in Case and Box, c. 1900

(金鵄章). Instituted February 12, 1890. A III Class Order of the Golden Kite with early eagle, the neck badge presents in silver gilt, an eight point red enamelled star with multiple smooth rays, superimposed on the obverse sits a blue enamelled golden kite with mustard yellow enamelled crossed swords with silver hilts atop the arms and a red flag at 3 and 9 o’clock presenting heraldic ‘mitsutomoe’ devices and a silver, green, purple and blue enamelled feature superimposed on the kite, surmounted by an early style silver gilt eagle with lower outspread wings, the reverse is plain with four rivets (one rivet missing), measures 55.4 mm (w) x 59.4 mm (h - inclusive of integral ring), worn on an elongated suspension and original neck ribbon, weighs 59.1 grams (including neck ribbon), enamels show extremely minor hairline cracks in the rays and are otherwise completely intact, a very lovely early III Class in better than extremely fine condition.

Accompanied by a thin neck ribbon of the order, and a lapel button with the rosette and silver underlaid ribbon denoting the class.

All contained in the original case of issue made of wood with black lacquer with kanji inscription on the lid, the interior presents a rich purple silk lid and partial recessed medalbed of purple velvet, with area at the top for the neck ribbon(s), measures 77 mm (w) x 118 mm (l) x 35 mm (d), hinge and clasp functional, case in extremely fine condition.

All held within a wooden box featuring a modern photo of the set adhered to the lid, with stamp of samurai across the edge, one edge of lid loose, remains in near very fine condition.

Footnote: The 3rd class can be award to generals as "first award of the order" (初叙), or field officers with outstanding merits, or junior officers with heroic merits.