91 Persia Order of the Lion and the Rising Sun Neshan-e-Shir-o-Khorshid Officer's Cross with Diamonds for Foreigners.
This badge is a Russian manufacture, around 1900. Silver five-pointed star set with genuine diamonds and emeralds, a total of about 14 carats of diamonds. The medallion in the version for foreigners with the lying lion in front of the rising sun in fine enamel painting. On the back with the Russian hallmark "84" for silver and master mark "N B". In original case of issue, outside lid with imprint of Persian Shah and Arabic numeral "4" for 4th class. Inside the lid with gold imprint "Saniol Mamalek Tehran".
The recipient wore the medal as a neck decoration, enclosed with the ready made neck ribbon in green for foreigners. Only lightly worn in excellent condition. Extremely rare. Coming from the possession of a Russian diplomat.
The Imperial Order of the Sun and Lion was established in 1808 by Fath Ali Shah of Persia under the name Neshan-e-Shir-o-Khorshid as a military and civilian order to honor foreign representatives (and later extended to Persians) who had performed exceptional service to Persia.
The order was initially established in two grades, later expanded to five, as well as a merit medal in four grades.