Iran (Pahlavi Empire). Order of Haft Paykar. Instituted 1955 by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. A silver gilt badge featuring a large blue medallion with seven silver gilt stars in the design of the constellation Taurus, surrounded in a white enamel ring with twenty four handpainted silver gilt flowers, around the central medallion are seven delicate chain-like links with white enamel bands and white enamel fill between links featuring small rays, a highly decorative red enamel crown sits atop the medallion at 12 o’clock presenting pebbled bands and a faceted central flower, the reverse is plain, maker marked on the suspension ring for Arthurs Bertrand, Paris and marked “800” denoting silver quality, measures 54.67mm (w) x 51.20mm (h), suspended from an original white and blue shoulder bow ribbon, reverse of ribbon features a brooch style pin, light gilt wear, small enamel flaking on the 2 o’clock white enamel fill, otherwise enamel intact and in extremely fine condition.
Footnote: The Order of the Pleiades (Nishan-i-Haft Paykar) was established in 1955 or 1957 by the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as a female only dynastical order. The Order replaced the Order of Aftab as a female imperial award and is issued in 3 Classes to distinguished ladies in recognition of meritorious service. The Order also has 3 associated Medals to reward female members of the Imperial household for long and faithful service. The Order was abolished as a national award following the Islamic Revolution of 1979 but is believed to continue as a royal household order. The Order was created in honour of Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari, the second wife of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and is named after the 7 Celestial Bodies, or 7 Sisters, a cluster of 7 stars in the constellation of Taurus. The I Class is awarded to ruling queens, queen consorts of reigning sovereigns, or to wives of male heads of state.