A Collar of the Order in gilt Silver, composed of 15 crowned monograms “MIM”, the crowns with enameled details and 15 “Mexican” eagles with green enameled cactus and snake, all linked by segments of chain made of oval, closed rings; the forward, centre crowned monogram with appended Order’s badge in the form of the Mexican Eagle, this, excellently chiseled and detailed, resting on green enameled cactus and holding the green enameled snake in the beak and crossed sceptres; above, the Mexican, Imperial crown with enameled details; round suspension ring, linked to the reverse of the above mentioned, crowned monogram.
An exceedingly rare collar of the highest historical relevance, awarded as a special class of the Order to foreign sovereigns and to 12 Mexicans only, as a token of exceptional grace of the Emperor for outstanding, signaled deeds; a piece of the finest manufacture, excellent condition, with light signs of wear adding even more interest to it.
provenance: the estate of Johann Count von Khevenhüller. Johann Carl, Graf Khevenhüller-Metsch (1839-1905), was Rittmeister 1st Class in the Imperial Mexican Cavalry Corps. On his return to Austria, he took with him some of the personal belongings of the Emperor on his behalf and from the Imperial Chancellery this collar, was one of the Emperor’s personal pieces or one of the few at the Imperial Chancellery’s disposal for award. The collar used to be exposed in the familie’s castle museum for a long period.
Dim.: l. of the chain 104,0 cm.; the badge, 64,0 x 55,0 mm.
Bibliography: David A. Olvera Ayes “100 Condecoraciones Mexicanas Heroismo y Honor”, Mexico City, Secretarìa de la Defensa Nacional, 2017, pages 274 - 281. I RR!