Brazil, Republic. An Order of Military Merit, Grand Officer, c.1960

(Ordem do Mérito Militar). Instituted 1934. An exceptional enameled white four-armed cross in silver gilt, obverse medallion featuring a facing left woman face, encircled by an enameled green border with the inscription MERITO MILITAR, reverse medallion with enameled Brazilian symbol of the Armed Forces, surrounding ring in gilt bearing inscription REPUBLICA FEDERATIVA DO BRASIL 1934, measuring 55.75 mm (w) x 59.03 mm (h - inclusive integral suspension), light contact and minor cracked enamel, suspended by full-length original neck ribbon, extremely fine condition. Accompanied by the star in silver, en eight pointed star consisting of clusters of smooth armed rays, obverse presenting an enameled white four armed cross in silver gilt, with central medallion bearing a facing left woman face, surrounded by an enameled green inscribed MERITO MILITAR, plain reverse with vertical pin assembly, measuring 75.49 mm (w) x 75.56 mm (h), minor tarnished silver and surface wear, otherwise extremely fine. Together with the Officer’s miniature in silver gilt and enamels, measuring 19.30 mm (w) x 22.23 mm (h), on original ribbon with rosette for Officer’s class, along with original rosette for wearing uniform, measuring 11.81 mm in diameter, with back button, both in extremely good condition. A completed rare set of the Grand Officer in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of Military Merit was established by presidential decree on June 11, 1934. Its statutes were approved on July 5, 1960, and since then, it has been modified three different times. In order of precedence, it is the four-highest award within the country. The Order is awarded to national and foreign military personnel, and civilians, who contributed significantly to the National Brazilian Army through exceptional services.