Japan, Empire. An Order of the Sacred Treasure, I Class Grand Cordon, c.1930

Instituted January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji. A lovely Grand Cross set, comprising a sash badge in silver gilt, a four armed cross with clusters of five white enamelled smooth rays, the longest two on the outside edges, the obverse medallion presents a silver floral shaped mirror on a blue enamelled field, surrounded by two rings, one pebbled, one smooth, with sixteen red cabochons on the arms arranged in a star pattern, the reverse presents four rivets for the cabochons, with the characters translating to “Order of Merit Decoration”, marked M denoting Mint manufacture, measures 64.17 mm (w) x 70.50 mm (h – inclusive of integral suspension ball), weighs 67.77 grams, enamels intact, light gilt wear, remains in extremely fine condition.

Accompanied by a full length original light blue and yellow watered silk sash, with central rosette and clip for badge attachment, minor discolouration on rosette, remains in extremely fine condition.

The Star of the Order, presenting eight arms of alternating clusters of five silver gilt with white enamel rays and five silver with white enamel rays, each cluster separated by a short blue enamelled ray, the obverse medallion matches that of the badge, a silver floral mirror in the center on a blue enamelled field, encircled by a pebbled ring and a smooth ring, with a star pattern of sixteen red cabochons, the reverse features a vertical pin and dual stay assemblies with four rivets and characters translating to “Order of Merit Decoration”, marked M under catch denoting Mint manufacture, measures 75.45 mm (w) x 75.45 mm (h), weighs 93.10 grams, very minor gilt wear, light crazing on the white enamel arms, 9 o’clock ray slightly bent, hinge and clasp functional, in extremely fine condition.

Contained in its original case of issue, a black lacquer case featuring Kanji on the exterior, with dark purple silk interior lid and velvet medalbed with a sash compartment below, measures 132 mm (w) x 260 mm (l) x 70 mm (d), notable scuffs to the exterior, in very fine condition.