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Order of the White Eagle and the Polish Episcopate, circa 1850-1870
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
an unusual series of eleven different European-made reproductions or specimen pieces of Order Insignia, all unsigned and unmarked, mostly in bronze, bronze-gilt and enamels but some in silver and silver-gilt, comprising:
(i) a reproduction in bronze, bronze-gilt and enamels of an early-type badge of the Order of the White Eagle, the reverse bearing central cypher of Augustus the Strong (Duke of Saxony and King of Poland), width 64.5mm;
(ii) a neck or sash badge of a religious Order, in bronze-gilt and green enamel and with crown suspension, the obverse with central enamelled roundel depicting the Baptism of Mary, reverse with central crowned cypher of Alexander I in silver on red enamel, width 53mm;
(iii-vii) five neck or sash badges in bronze-gilt and enamels of related pattern, each displaying the White Eagle with cypher of Alexander I superimposed on a Maltese Cross enamelled in blue, red (or blue/red combination), reverses featuring differing treatments of the Madonna and Child, Christ, and two Saints, three badges with crown suspension, widths 57.5mm – 66mm;
(viii) a reproduction in silver-gilt and enamelled copper of an early pattern White Eagle Episcopal neck badge, plain loop suspension, width 58.7mm, some enamel loss;
(ix) Order of the White Eagle breast star, in silver, silver-gilt and red-brown enamel, with gilt reverse and brooch-pin suspension, width 90.5mm;
(x-xi) Order of the White Eagle, breast stars (2), of broadly similar type but with differing centres, one in silver-gilt and silver, the other in silver; each of multi-part construction using embossed silver elements, with rings at extremities of rays for stitch-mounting, both 95.5mm, both with slight damage or loss to one or two points;
all housed in a large custom-made velvet-lined display case in gold-blocked green leather by M. Verrazano, Turin, the lid depicting the conjoined shields of Savoy and Saxony, some wear at corners of case and original lid fasteners now lacking
(i) a reproduction in bronze, bronze-gilt and enamels of an early-type badge of the Order of the White Eagle, the reverse bearing central cypher of Augustus the Strong (Duke of Saxony and King of Poland), width 64.5mm;
(ii) a neck or sash badge of a religious Order, in bronze-gilt and green enamel and with crown suspension, the obverse with central enamelled roundel depicting the Baptism of Mary, reverse with central crowned cypher of Alexander I in silver on red enamel, width 53mm;
(iii-vii) five neck or sash badges in bronze-gilt and enamels of related pattern, each displaying the White Eagle with cypher of Alexander I superimposed on a Maltese Cross enamelled in blue, red (or blue/red combination), reverses featuring differing treatments of the Madonna and Child, Christ, and two Saints, three badges with crown suspension, widths 57.5mm – 66mm;
(viii) a reproduction in silver-gilt and enamelled copper of an early pattern White Eagle Episcopal neck badge, plain loop suspension, width 58.7mm, some enamel loss;
(ix) Order of the White Eagle breast star, in silver, silver-gilt and red-brown enamel, with gilt reverse and brooch-pin suspension, width 90.5mm;
(x-xi) Order of the White Eagle, breast stars (2), of broadly similar type but with differing centres, one in silver-gilt and silver, the other in silver; each of multi-part construction using embossed silver elements, with rings at extremities of rays for stitch-mounting, both 95.5mm, both with slight damage or loss to one or two points;
all housed in a large custom-made velvet-lined display case in gold-blocked green leather by M. Verrazano, Turin, the lid depicting the conjoined shields of Savoy and Saxony, some wear at corners of case and original lid fasteners now lacking
Condition
Please note that the condition of this lot is included within the detailed description.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
This group of pieces appears to have been manufactured and assembled as a special presentation in the 1850s or 1860s, with several of the pieces representing earlier styles. For illustrations of similar items of insignia see Wesolowski, Z.P., Polish Orders, Medals, Badges and Insignia..., Miami, 1986, pp. 11-14.
The Royal Houses of Saxony and Savoy were linked by the marriage of Princess Maria of Saxony to Prince Ferdinand of Savoy at Dresden, on 22 April 1850.