Spain, Francoist Dictatorship. A Military Order of San Hermenegildo, Grand Cross, c.1960

(Real y Militar Orden de San Hermenegildo). Instituted November 28th, 1814. (c. 1960s). A cased Military Order of San Hermenegildo, Grand Cross Set, consisting of:

1. A breast star, constructed of gilded silver and blue, white, and green enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with ball finals along with triple rays of sun emanating from the center in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central round blue enameled medallion bearing Saint Hermenegildo on a horse facing right, surrounded by a white enameled ring inscribed “Premio a la Constanqia Militar” in gilt capital letters, all within a green enameled laurel wreath, the reverse is plain, with a raised barrel hinge, with an inately decorated vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, with two downward sloping stabilizer bars, marked silver hallmarked and marked “23M” on the swivel ring, measuring 71.3 mm (w) x 72.3 mm (l), weighing 56.16 grams, the blue enamels in the center medallion chipped, in overall better than very fine condition. 

2. A sash badge, constructed of gilded silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with straight white enameled arms, on a hollow swivel crown and ring for suspension from its period original sash ribbon, the obverse with a blue enameled central medallion bearing a gilded depiction of Saint Hermenegildo on a horse facing right, surrounded by a colour-matched blue enameled ring inscribed “Premio a la Constancia Militar” in capital gilt letters, the reverse with “F. VII” in raised gilt letters, surrounded by a blue enameled ring, unmarked, measuring 37.1 mm (w) x 58.5 mm (l), weighing 26.72 grams, the enamels on the reverse of the twelve o’clock arm partially flaked off, in overall very fine condition.

3. Accompanied by a miniature two-piece boutonniere, constructed of silver gilt with white, blue, and green enamels, visually identical to the breast star of the award, with a round wire loop on the reverse for attachment to a buttonhole. 

4. With its presentation case, constructed of a lightweight wood core, with a burgundy faux leather exterior, functional dual-hinges, and an intact interior hinge cover, with a metal latch and clasp closure in the front of the case, measuring 187 mm (w) x 254 mm (l), in overall near extremely fine condition.