Worked on them best jewelers and designers of his time.
A century ago the order of both the European and overseas powers, different attractiveness and beauty of execution. Unlike most of today awards, the jewelers of the XVIII century he created works of art, worthy of reflecting the contributions of the awarded gentlemen and ladies.
The Order Of St. Catherine (Russian Empire)
The order’s motto “For love and Fatherland”. | Photo: ru.convdocs.org.
For Christian countries the Foundation of the order of the sign was often a cross of gold or silver, covered with colored enamels and often decorated with diamonds.
The order of St. Catherine was founded by Peter I in honor of his wife. This order with red ribbon is awarded to all girls of the Royal family and the Grand Duchess. The boys at baptism was awarded the order of St. Andrew on a blue ribbon. So there was a tradition of dressing infants in pink or blue.
The Order Of The Elephant (Denmark)
The Badge Of The Order Of The Elephant. | Photo: kongehuset.dk.
The order of the elephant is undoubtedly the most original award in the world, comparable only with the British order of the Garter. The badge of the order is a figure of a white enamelled elephant with diamonds, which is run by dark-skinned mahout. The order was very popular in Russia, it was awarded the Peter I, Alexander Menshikov, Prince Dolgorukov, V. L. and A. B. Kurakin.
The Legion of honor (France)
Portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte by Robert Lefevre.
Legion of honor, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, on the wave of revolutionary change and the slogan “Liberty, equality, fraternity.” This highest award of France could get anyone, regardless of class and origin.
The badge of the order of the Grand cross of the Legion of honour. | Photo: monnaiedeparis.fr.
The Legion of honor is one of the most recognizable awards in the world. Five-pointed silver or gold cross on a red ribbon is a symbol of the highest service to the Republic.
Many Russian citizens were awarded by the government of France, including: Vladimir Posner, Zurab Tsereteli, Eldar Ryazanov, Joseph Brodsky, Maya Plisetskaya, Dmitry Mendeleyev, Fedor Shalyapin, Ivan Poddubny, as well as political figures and military personnel.
Order of the Rose (the Brazilian Empire)
The order’s motto “Amor e fidelidade” (“Love and faithfulness”), monogram “P” and “A” (Pedro and Amelia). | Photo: commons.wikimedia.org.
Order of the Rose was founded by the Emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro I as a sign of his love to the Princess Amelia of Leuchtenberg. The sign white star on a background of shining rays decorated with roses, crowned by order of the Imperial crown.
The Order Of The Dragon Of Annam (French Indochina)
Neck badge and star of the order of the Dragon of Annam. | Photo: ordenskreuz.com.
For Vietnamese people, the dragon is a positive symbol, the dragon brings rain, essential for agriculture. He also represents the Emperor, prosperity and power of the nation. The dragon is the symbol of the Universe, life, existence and growth. It is therefore not surprising that the highest distinction of Annam, which was devoted to the green dragon, made of silver in the best workshops of Paris.
The Order Of Ismail (Kingdom Of Egypt)
Gold star of the order of Ismail. | Photo: the-saleroom.com.
Elegant performance of the Arabic designs on the enamels of the order of Ismail leaves no doubt: it is a reward for the most deserving for outstanding service to the state.
The order of Nakhimov (Soviet Union)
The order of Nakhimov 1st and 2nd degrees. | Photo: sovietmedals.ucoz.com.
The order of Nakhimov was established in 1944 to award outstanding officers of the fleet. He became one of the rarest medals of the Soviet Union – a total of 551 rewarding. The order made of gold, silver and rubies. Due to the rarity of the order of 2-nd degree costs about 50.000$ and the order of the 1st degree – priceless rarities.
