Iran (Pahlavi Empire); Order of the Pleiades (AKA Order of Haft Paykar). Grand Cross Sash Badge, 1st Class; by Arthus Bertrand of Paris; In silver gilt with blue, white and red enamels, maker mark (Arthus Bertrand of Paris) and marked "800" (silver) on the ring, measuring 54.7 mm (w) x 53.2 mm (h), on ring suspension, minor/ fine chipping evident in the red enamels on the crown, otherwise extremely fine.
Footnote: The Order of the Pleiades (AKA Order of Haft Paykar) was an all-female order of the former Imperial State of Iran. The Order was instituted in 1957 by the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. It consisted of three classes (1st class, 2nd class, and 3rd class) and was awarded to female persons of high status, for deserving special recognition or conspicuous appreciation by the Shah. It is believed that the Order honours Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari, the second wife of the former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The name of the order refers to the Pleiades, a star cluster located in the constellation Taurus in the northern hemisphere. Soraya is a female Persian name with a reference to the Pleiades. The order was abolished by the Islamic Republic of Iran after the fall of the last Shah. Since then, the order merely continues as a Royal Family Order, and Empress Farah Pahlavi, the third wife and widow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, is still the grandmaster of this order. First Class: reserved for female consorts of reigning sovereigns. A sash with pendant is worn on the right shoulder. In 1955-59 a larger sized badge was worn from a bow in the same colours and material as the sash, pinned on the left shoulder. The insignia of the first class includes a breast star from the very start but the shoulder badge was abandoned for this class not later than 1959; Second Class: awarded to royal princesses only. The insignia of the second class consists of a breast star, sash and sash badge, but no shoulder badge is included; and Third Class: given to female members of the Imperial Household or to ladies of high rank. The insignia of this class consists of a badge only, which is similar to that of the 2nd class, but smaller. It is worn suspended from a bow. Attached to the order are three medals: first class in gold, second class in gold and silver, and third class in silver. They were usually awarded to female members of the Imperial Household for long or faithful service. The medals are worn suspended from a bow.