A spectacular oval medallion, 59 x 48 mm., with 169 Diamonds for a total of 4,976 ct., in chiseled GOLD, with a striped border, completely set with Diamonds, 51 g, the center is adorned with a star with sixteen points on a dark blue enameled silver background. Remains of fastening elements on the back.
Ottoman work of the first half of 19th century.
This jewel is certainly a “Nichan-i Iftihar” (Order of Glory) founded around 1831 by Sultan Mahmoud II
to reward and distinguish his Generals and Ministers. According to the only documentary source on this subject, the manuscript preserved in the Topkapi Palace painted in 1851 by Boghos Düzyan, partly reproduced in Edhem Eldem’s book “Pride and Privilege” pages 100 and 101, this order should be the Sultan’s own badge (the same oval shape, center with a star, festooned edges), or a decoration of a Grand Vizir, the central motif of which is the sixteen-pointed star and the leaves of laurel chiselled on the perimeter.
Of the highest importance and rarity, of superb jeweler’s quality and impressive apearance, extremely fine condition! I RRRR!