A 19TH CENTURY NECK BADGE OF THE PORTUGUESE ORDER OF CHRIST....

Hammer

£8,500

A 19TH CENTURY NECK BADGE OF THE PORTUGUESE ORDER OF CHRIST. designed as a cross mounted with foiled calibre-cut garnets set within a scrolling foliate surround of cushion-shaped and rose-cut diamonds, the gold back with engraved foliate decoration, with a ruby, diamond and emerald set Sacred Heart suspension, 10.0cm long, 67.8 grams The Order of Christ was created in the early 14th century for surviving knights of the Knights Templar, which had been disbanded in 1312. It was secularized in 1789 and was one of the three Ancient Military Orders bestowed by the Portuguese Monarchs. Dissolved in 1910 with the fall of the Portuguese monarchy, it was revived in 1917 within the Portuguese Republic, headed by the President of Portugal, as a decoration in recognition of outstanding service to the state.

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One small emerald stone is missing, light wear.