THE UNION ORDER

Officer’s Cross, instituted in 1864. Breast Badge, gilt, Silver, hallmarked “Kretly”, two green enameled laurel wreaths, on red background, with the dates of the double election of the ruler at the centre, 5 and 24 ( January), bordered by a blue enamelled ring with the inscription “GENERE ET CORDE FRATRES” – “Brothers through Origin and Feelings” / Monogram of Prince AI 1 (Alexandru Ioan I), made of silver, applied on a red enameled medallion, original suspension ring and ribbon with rosette.

In 1864, hoping to legislate the creation of the first Romanian order, ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza requested from the Kretly house of Paris the symbols of the Order of the Union, on the occasion of celebrating 5 years since the Union. The Kretly house created the symbols, sent them to Romania, but, because of the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire, the Order could not be awarded “legally”, as the ruler of Romania did not have the right to issue and award decorations. Regardless, Cuza awarded a few decorations to his close friends, but not officially.

The order had 5 ranks: Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer and Grand Cross. Its shape was repetitive Byzantine cross, also called Romanian Cross in heraldry, made of dark blue-enamelled silver, with rays between the arms and with a royal crown above it.

For the first time in a public sale, one of 2 examples known in private hands!
Provenance: Collection Robert Mc Namara, 1970

I RR!