Portugal, Kingdom. An Order of the Tower and Sword, Grand Collar with Case, by da Costa, c.1880

(Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada). Instituted in 1549, revived in 1808, discontinued in 1910.In silver and enamels, five-pointed white enamel star with tipped finials, surrounded by a green enamelled oak wreath in the quadrants of the arms, obverse medallion shows a wreath and sword encircled by a blue enamel ring with the inscription ‘VALOR LEALDADE E MERITO’, reverse medallion shows an open book encircled by a blue enamel ring with the inscription ‘PELO REI E PELA LEI’, a tower with blue enamel windows sits at 12 o’clock and connects to the small suspension ring, the badge measures 65 mm (w) x 74.4 mm (h), weighs 45.4 grams, enamel chips to wreath, and large chip to reverse 4 o’clock arm, otherwise in extremely fine condition. 

The collar chain in silver gilt, composed of forty links alternating between ten wreaths crossed with swords and ten towers, with a small Portuguese symbol between each one, a small disc halfway through the chain presents the maker mark of FREDERICK O. DA COSTA, the disc has a small hook on the reverse, each end of the chain features a small hook for badge adherence, measures 860 mm long, light wear and areas of gilt loss, extremely fine condition. 

Contained in its original case of issue, a red leatherette exterior impressed D.M.II. with surmounting crown with external gilt and blackened borders, the interior lid in rich blue silk marked CONDECORACOES frederico L. da costa Rua S. Juliao 1103. LISBOA, the base in blue velvet with guiding lines for the collar and a slight indent, a silk strip connecting the base to the lid to maintain case open, measures 210 mm (w) x 285 mm (h) x 30 mm (d),  hinge and catches functional but difficult to close, a lovely case remaining in very fine condition.