Japan, Empire. An Order of the Chrysanthemum, Grand Cordon Collar Badge in Gold, with Case

(大勲位菊花章 Dai-kun'i kikka-shō). Instituted December 25, 1877 by Emperor Meiji of Japan - Collar instituted January 4, 1888. A beautiful and exceedingly rare collar badge, to be worn on a small neck chain, of the Order of the Chrysanthemum in Gold, featuring a four point white enamel star of 32 smooth white enamel rays, segments of green enamel wreaths with a yellow and red enamelled chrysanthemum in the center of each, the obverse medallion is a red glass cabochon, reverse mirrors the obverse, suspended from a large yellow enamelled chrysanthemum flower, reverse of the suspension bears the inscription meaning “Grand Merit Decoration”, measures 55.07 mm (w) x 74.88 mm (h - inclusive of suspension and integral suspension ring), weighs 63.4 grams, slight hairline cracks near the tips of the longest white enamel rays, an absolutely superb collar badge of the utmost rarity, in extremely fine condition.

Accompanied by a reproduction collar in non magnetic metal, comprising a total of 25 links of alternating links depicting a floreated form of the characters “Mei” and “Ji”, and a small chrysanthemum surrounded by a green enamelled wreath, the central link is a large chrystandthemum flower surrounded by a green wreath with a side profile of the flower at the top, the reverse of each link is plain, measures roughly 800 mm in length, a reproduction collar in very fine condition. A reproduction collar badge is also included, of non magnetic metal, featuring featuring a four point white enamel star of 32 smooth white enamel rays, segments of green enamel wreaths with a yellow and red enamelled chrysanthemum in the center of each, the obverse medallion is a red glass cabochon, reverse mirrors the obverse, suspended from an immovable large yellow enamelled chrysanthemum flower, reverse of the suspension bears the inscription meaning “Grand Merit Decoration”, measures 58 mm (w) x 82.32mm (h), in very fine condition.

Contained in an hexagon-shaped case of issue of balsam wood and black lacquer, the exterior lid presents a Japanese inscription, while the interior features a dark blue velvet recessed medalbed for the collar and collar badge, measures 340 mm (w) x 340 mm (l) x 45 mm (d), light scuffs and marks overall, crack in base from wood separating, remains in very fine condition.

Footnote: This is Japan's highest Order. It is rarely conferred to anyone outside of the Royal Family and Heads of State. It can only be awarded to men, and it can be conferred posthumously. The Collar was instituted on January 4, 1888. It is only worn by the reigning Emperor, and it is awarded to foreign monarchs as a courtesy. Prior to 1947, the collar was also awarded to Marshalls, Cabinet Ministers, and senior members of the Royal Family.

This Collar Badge is depicted on page 10 of the “Orders and Medals of Japan and Associated States” by James W. Peterson, an Orders and Medals Society of America Monograph.