Spain, Francoist Dictatorship. An Order of Isabella the Catholic, Grand Cross Set, c.1960

(Orden de Isabel la Católica). Instituted on March 24th, 1815. Type IV 1938-1975. (c. 1960’s issue). A cased Order of Isabella the Catholic, Grand Cross Set, consisting of:

1. A Breast Star, constructed of silver gilt, consisting of a Maltese Cross with ball finals, the arms of the cross of multi-piece construction with red enamels, the obverse centerpiece with a delicately hand-painted mural depicting dual pillars with a ribbon tied between them, as well as two crowned globes beside a river, surrounded by green and white enameled laurel wreath inscribed “A La Lealtad Acrisolada” (To Proven Loyalty) and “Por Isabel la Católica” (By Isabella the Catholic), topped by a blue-crowned enameled medallion inscribed with the Type IV “F & Y” royal monogram, the reverse plain, with a tall barrel hinge, decorated vertical pinback, and round wire catch, silver hallmarked and marked “23M” on the reverse of the vertical pin, measuring 80.5 mm (w) x 80.2 mm (l), weighing 79.23 grams, in extremely fine condition. 

2. A Sash Badge, constructed of silver gilt, consisting of a Maltese Cross with ball finals, the arms of the cross of multi-piece construction with red enamels, the obverse centerpiece with a delicately hand-painted mural depicting dual pillars with a ribbon tied between them, as well as two crown globes beside a river, surrounded by green and white enameled laurel wreath inscribed “A La Lealtad Acrisolada” (To Proven Loyalty), the reverse similar in appearance with a central blue enameled medallion inscribed “ F &Y” in silver gilt, surrounded by a white enameled ring inscribed “Por Isabel la Católica” (By Isabella the Catholic), on a green enameled laurel wreath swivel suspension from its period original and full-length sash ribbon, silver hallmarked and marked “23M” on the swivel ring, measuring 45.3 mm (w) x 67.1 mm (l) including its suspension, weighing 28.46 grams, in extremely fine condition. 

3. A boutonniere miniature of the award, in the shape of the breast star, silver hallmarked and marked “23M” on the ring on the reverse, measuring 21.6 mm (w) x 21.7 mm (l), weighing 4.39 grams, in extremely fine condition.

4. Accompanied by a presentation case, constructed of a lightweight wood core and a textured burgundy faux leather exterior, the interior of the lid is lined with off-white silk, marked “Villanueva y Laiseca Joyeros Madrid” in golden lettering, with the exterior metal hinge fully functional and the interior hinge cover fully intact, with a removable recessed medal bed for seating of the awards, measuring 185 mm (w) x 255 mm (l) x 80 mm (h), in better than very fine condition.