This item is part of The Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
(Ordem Real Militar de Avis). Instituted in the 12th century. Type I. 1789-1894 issue. A finely made sash badge in silver gilt, consisting of a four-armed St. Avis Cross finely applique in green enamels, mirrored reverse, surmounted by very detailed gilt Sacred Heart with blue, red, and white enameled details, beneath of a Portuguese Royal Crown also in silver gilt with a pleasant red enameled centre and enameled details, measuring 40.16 mm (w) x 106.15 (inclusive of integral ball with cross), presenting minor gilt lost, accompanied by very well-preserved original ribbon in silk, extremely fine. Accompanied by the star of the Order, a multiple ray silver star, obverse centre piece in silver gilt featuring a nicely enameled green St. Avis Cross on a white enameled background, surrounded by detailed ornament border in silver and gilt, surmounted by an enameled red and green Sacred Heart, reverse with pronged pin and maker’s cartouche of Souza, Portuguese maker that supplies almost all of the current Portuguese orders, measuring 66.38 mm (w) x 76.56 mm (h), presenting stained red enamels, and toned silver on the reverse, extremely fine.
Footnote: The Military Order of Aviz was first established by King Afonso I as an ecclesiastic Order in the 12th century, but it was later secularised by Queen Mary I in 1789. It was disbanded in 1910 following the establishment of the First Portuguese Republic but was re-established in 1918. The Order was conferred upon military personnel following its secularisation and was extended to civilians in the 19th century. During a period of reformation between 1894-1910, it was conferred exclusively upon military personnel, and it has continued to be conferred exclusively upon military personnel since its restoration in 1918. The President of the Republic is the Grand Master of the Order.
This offering is a part of the "Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection", a preeminent assemblage of world Orders, Medals, and Decorations composed solely by Dr.Goodwin between 1946-1967. Dr. Goodwin had a successful career as an educator and prominent physician in New York as well as actively serving in both World Wars with the United States Medical Corps. He acted as both President and Vice-President of the Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) and is responsible for organizing their first convention in 1960. He maintained further membership with the American Society of Military Collectors, the International Orders Research Society, and the American Numismatic Society. His knowledge and passion for history and awards is evident in this meticulously compiled collection that is now available in its entirety for the first time exclusively on eMedals.com.