Persia, Pahlavi Dynasty. An Order of the Lion and Sun, V Class

Instituted in 1808. In silver and green lacquer, a five pointed rayed silver star, clusters of seven faceted rays, separated by a green painted ray, the obverse centerpiece bearing a handpainted couchant lion and a radiant sun with a yellow enamelled background, the reverse plain, unmarked, integral suspension with loop for a green original ribbon, measures 65 mm (h) x 61.4 mm (w), weighs 37.8 grams including ribbon, enamels intact, extremely fine. 

In a hard shelled case, black exterior with gilded symbol of the Persian Empire, the interior lid in white silk with makers mark of SANIOLMAMELEK TEHERAN, the base in a black velvet base, measures 90 mm (w) x 104.5 mm (h) x 2.5 mm (d), the clasp is functional but release is partially missing (difficult to open), light scuffing to exterior, very fine. 

Footnote: The Order of the Lion and Sun was originally instituted by Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, the second Qajar emperor of Persia, in 1808. The Order was conferred upon senior government officers and foreigners in recognition of admirable and distinguished service provided to the State. In 1939, Reza Shah Pahlavi replaced the Order with the Order of Homayoun (Order of August). Since its institution, the Order has undergone numerous organizational changes. The Type IV Order was amended under Mirza Hossein Khan Moshir-ed-Dowleh Sepahsalar in 1872. Modifications influenced by Western award systems were made to the Order which reduced the number of classes to 5. Due to the complexity of the award, a lack of information, and changes over time, the regulations of distinguishing award criteria between classes of the Order remain unclear.