Brazil, Kingdom. An Order of the Southern Cross, Grand Cross Breast Star, Type I
Type I. (1822-1890 Issue). In silver gilt, a white enamelled five armed cross with ball finials and clusters of five smooth cleft rays in each quadrant, the obverse medallion presents stars organized in a cross shape on a light blue enamel field, surrounded by a blue enamel ring inscribed BENEMERENTIUM PRAEMIUM, the star is surmounted by a large crown with a green enamelled interior cap, the reverse presents a single vertical pin and later addition of a ring on the reverse of the crown, measures 60.4mm (w) x 74.4mm (h), weighs 42.9 grams, cracks and crazing evident on the white enamel arms, and two small chips in the dark blue enamel ring evident, loss of gilt throughout, a rare award which remains in very fine condition.