74 Order of Saint Ferdinand and the Merit Breast Star to the Grand Cross.

Silver breast star features the image of Saint Ferdinand and is sculpted in superb goldsmith's craftsmanship. The motto's ring is crafted in gold and enamel parts. The entire body of the star and the Fleur de Lys are studded with polished marcasite stones.

The reverse of the Star features a curved double pin for attaching to a robe, i.e. uniform.

The other breast stars from the royal Sicilian family and from the estate of the Kings of the Two Sicilies reflect the same design and quality. They are to be found in the collection of Dr. Spada and are exhibited in the Museum of the Legion of Honour in Paris.

The production of breast stars studded with marcasite was a fashion, which is to be found especially in Naples at the end of the 18th century.  These 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 orders seems to have persisted until the Napoleonic period. A Grand Cross of the Napoleonic Royal Order of Two Sicilies worn by Joachim Murat is executed in this technique. Various honorary Sabres with Markasite trim were also produced for King Joachim.

The Kings of the Two Sicilies had a set of all their order stars made in this fashion.

These specimens from the Sicilian royal house, are very similar to the one offered at auction and are in the collection of Dott. Antonio Spada. They are featured in 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 Illustrated and described.

Some breast stars of the late 18th century, made of polished steel, are closely related to these breast stars.  Very few splendid examples of Russian, English and German breast stars produced in this technique are known in museums and private collections.

The fashion of polished steel jewelry was a widespread phenomenon throughout Europe probably due to the extreme rarity of diamonds at the time before the large diamond deposits were discovered in South Africa in the 19th century.

Order insignia produced in steel or marcasite style are among the most artistically beautiful goldsmith creations in the field of orders and awards.    

Major religious star of greatest rarity.

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