Japan, Empire. A European Order Of The Rising Sun With Pawlonia Flowers, Grand Cordon Set With Diplomatic Case, C.1930

(桐花章 Tōka shō). Instituted 1888. A rare European made order, comprising the sash badge, in silver gilt, presenting a white enamel three rayed cross with red enamel rays atop the white rays and with three purple pawlonia flowers with elongated stamens (typical of European manufacture) in each quadrant, the obverse medallion presents a red glass cabochon in the center, reverse mirrors the obverse, the badge is surmounted by a green and purple enamelled Imperial Pawlonia crest in silver gilt, both sides of the suspension depicts gilded Japanese characters meanigng “Order of Merit Descriptions”, measuring 77.24 mm (w) x 109.88 mm (h - inclusive of suspension and integral ball), weighs 66.7 grams, enamels show wear and chipping on white rays, discolouration on silver, suspension is slightly bent, a unique badge in extremely fine condition. The European made star in silver gilt, a presenting a white enamel three rayed cross with an overlaid red enamelled starburst of multiple rays and three purple pawlonia flowers with elongated stamens in each quadrant, the obverse medallion presents a red glass cabochon in the center with a wide metal ring (typical of European stars of this order), the reverse features a single vertical pin, measures 85.91 mm (w) x 86.05 mm (h), weighs 84.7 grams, two notable chips on the 9 and 12 o’clock arms, hairline cracks and crazing on arms, catch slightly pinched making difficult to contain pin, a rare star in very fine condition.

Accompanied by a thin, full length sash of red and white watered silk with proportionate rosette, measures 75 mm (w) x 740 mm (l - folded in half), creased, in very fine condition. Size indicated the sash may have been worn by a child prince.

The Set and sash are contained in a diplomatic case, constructed of wood with black lacquer, the exterior lid presents numerous pawlonia flower and leaf symbols in gilt, the interior of the sliding lid feature Kanji in the early (1880s-1910) style, the exterior base of the case is black lacquered with a silver chrysanthemum flower with ring attached to a long red cord on each side to tie across the top of the case, the interior of the base features a velvet purple recessed medalbed for the badge and star, with a storage compartment below for the sash, measures 140 mm (w) x 265 mm (l) x 63 mm (d), wear and loss of enamel to exterior, crack present on the interior of the lid, light wear to velvet medalbed, small tab to lift medalbed for access to sash compartment is missing, light wear elsewhere, remains in near very fine condition.

Footnote: This European made set is published on page 13 of “Orders and Medals of Japan and Associated States”, third edition, by James W. Peterson, an Orders and Medals Society of America Monograph.