Ethiopia, Empire. An Order Of The Seal Of Solomon, Commander, C.1935

Instituted 1874. Type II with Ethiopian Crown. In bronze gilt, voided design, measuring 51.5 mm (w) x 78 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, greening evident on the crown, very light contact, on its original full-length neck ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Seal of Solomon is an order of knighthood of the Ethiopian Empire, founded by Emperor Yohannes IV in 1874 as the highest imperial honour, containing five grades. In 1930, an even higher Order was established, i.e. the Order of Solomon, which was a split off from the Order of the Seal of Solomon. The Order was conferred on members of imperial house and upon persons who had rendered meritorious services. After the deposition of Haile Selassie and dissolution of the Ethiopian Empire, the order continued as a house order to be awarded by the House of Solomon. The Solomonic dynasty, the ancient Imperial House of Ethiopia, claims descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, said to have given birth to King Menelik I after her visit to Solomon in Jerusalem.