Iraq, Kingdom. An Order of the Two Rivers, II Class Commander’s Badge, by Arthus Bertrand

Instituted 1922 by King Faisal I. Constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a seven-pointed red enameled star with ball finials, with ornate white and green enameled laurels in each quadrant, the obverse with a central blue enameled applique overlaid by an Iraqi royal crown, surrounded by a white enameled ring with a gilt Arabic inscription of “al-Mamlaka al-Iraqiah; Hub al-Watan min al-Iman” (“The Kingdom of Iraq; Love of the Motherland is Faith”), the reverse with a central gilt medallion bearing a raised Arabic inscription, surrounded by a white enameled ring with a gilt Arabic inscription, the twelve o’clock arm with an integral loop connecting to a gilt laurel wreath, tied together at the bottom by a bowtie ribbon, in turn with an integral loop connecting to a suspension ring through which is looped a period original neck ribbon, unmarked, measuring 65.05 mm (w) x 65.51 mm (h), weighing 71.4 grams, accompanied by its period original case of issue, constructed of a wood frame with a faux purple leather exterior, the obverse lid with a gold embossed Iraqi royal crown, laurel wreath, and the name of the order in Arabic lettering, the interior with a white satin-type lid liner maker marked “Arthus Bertrand, Paris”, with a depressed black doeskin medal bed, opening with a functional bronze spring catch with exterior stud release and a functional magnetic metal hinge, measuring 88 mm (w) x 160 mm (l) x 34 mm (h), some flecking of enamels to the badge and material fatigue evident to the case, otherwise in near extremely fine condition.