109 Order of Charles III. - Breast star to the Grand cross with faceted Marcasite Stones.

This breast set with cut marcasite stones features a separately applied figure of the Holy Virgin Mary crafted in gold and enamels. The entire star and the Fleur de Lys are studded with polished marcasite stones. The medallion and the ring for the motto feature gold and enamel craftsmanship. The figure of the Holy Virgin in particularly fine sculptured goldsmith quality. Reverse features curved double needle.

Breast stars of royal Sicilian and other orders of the House of Bourbon of similar quality and craftsmanship from the estate of the Kings of the Two Sicilies from the magnificent Dr. Spada Collection are exhibited in the Museum of the Legion of Honour in Paris.

The production of order stars studded with marcasite stones was a fashion that can be found especially in Naples at the end of the 18th century.  These pieces of insignia were made almost exclusively on behalf of the Kings and princes of the House of Bourbon - Sicily. However, the preference for these exceedingly magnificent emblems seems to have persisted until the Napoleonic period. Thus a Grand Cross of the Napoleonic Order of the Two Sicilies from the possession of Joachim Murat is known to be crafted crafted in this technique. Various honorary sabers with marcasite were also produced for King Joachim Murat.

The Stars from the Sicilian Royal House, very similar to the one offered here, are in the Collection of Dott. Antonio Spada and are illustrated in the exhibition catalog of the Paris Musée National de la Légion d'honneur et des Ordres de Chévalerie (Ed.): Honneur & Gloire - Les Trésors de La Collection Spada, P. 134 ff.

There are other breast stars of the late 18th century, made of polished steel, which are closely related to these order stars.  Personally, I am aware of Russian, English and German order stars produced in this technique.

The fashion to wear of polished steel jewelry was a widespread phenomenon throughout Europe probably due to the fact that diamonds were so rare before the big mines in South Africa were discovered in the 19th century.

These magnificently crafted orders are among the most artistically beautiful goldsmith examples ever created in the field of orders and awards.    

Major house order of the greatest rarity.