Iran, Qajar Dynasty. An Imperial Order of the Lion and the Sun, I Class Grand Cross Case

(Neshaan-e shir o khorshid). Instituted in 1808. Hardshelled design on both the lid and base with a crimson red pebbled exterior on five sides, the bottom with a salmon-coloured paper covering, wooden-framed, the lid impressed with the Lion and Sun insignia surmounted by the Qajar crown within an open-ended wreath of oak leaves above the class designation "1" in Eastern Arabic in gold-coloured ink, all of which is framed by a recessed rule, the inside lid lined in white satin, padded and marked in black ink with the Lion and Sun insignia surmounted by the Qajar crown within an open-ended wreath of laurel leaves and oak leaves above the maker mark "SANIOLMAMALEK / JOAILLIER EN CHEF DE S.M.I. LE SCHAH" (Saniolmamalek of Tehran / Chief Jeweller to the Shah) in English and Arabic, the lining exhibiting the impressions of the once present badge and breast star, white cotton straps on either side to support the lid when the case is kept open, a white fabric-wrapped cardboard insert placed within the base, the bottom of the base lined in a reddish-orange card, missing its raised platform to house the badge and breast star, three of the wooden slats to support the platform remaining intact, single tab closure, measuring 139.5 mm (w) x 285 mm (h) x 54 mm (d), soiling evident on the exterior, undulation of the crimson red covering on both the right and left sides of the base, the insignias with traces of the gold-coloured ink remaining on the lid, soiling on the white satin lining of the lid with the inked impressions of the badge and breast star present, the lateral slat that previously supported the missing medal platform has come away from the body of the case, fair.

Footnote: The Imperial Order of the Lion and the Sun was instituted by Fat’h Ali Shah of the Qajar Dynasty in 1808, to honour foreign officials (later extended to Persians) who had rendered distinguished services to Persia. In 1925, under the Pahlavi dynasty the Order continued as the Order of Homayoun with new insignia, though based on the Lion and Sun motif. This motif was used for centuries by the rulers of Persia, being formally adopted under Mohammad Shah. The order was senior to the Order of the Crown. It was issued in five grades.

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.