Military Order of the Tower and Sword

An early, embroidered Breast Star of the 1st Type (awarded in the period 1808-1834), 82x80 mm., with elaborate work of silver and gold broderies, paillettes and coloured thread, the arms’ tips, with tiny loops to fasten the star to the habit, the reverse, with ivory paper, in the original, fitted case of issue.
An extremely rare star of the highest military order of Portugal, in the even rarer 1st type. In our opinion, this piece can be dated to the period of the Napoleonic wars. This star was published and illustrated in: P.J. Estrela: “Ordens e Condecorações Portuguesas 1793-1824”, page 45, where it was possibly attributed to the workshop of F. Alves Pereira, tailor and embroidered to the Royal Family of Portugal, I RR!