Spain, Ii Republic. A Very Rare Order Of The Spanish Republic, Collar And Collar Badge

(Orden de la República Española). Instituted in 1932. An extremely rare collar with only two known examples, currently on display in France as well as in Spain in public museums.

An exceedingly rare and lovely silver gilt collar, composed of 23 links in total, alternating between dual layered smooth and twisted knots, and bows with superimposed oval discs bearing the individual elements of the Spanish Republic Coat of Arms – for the Kingdom of Leon, a painted lion on a white field; for the kingdom of Navarre, a cross, saltire and orle of chains linked together on gules; for the Kingdom of Castile, a three towered castle on gules; for the Kingdom of Aragon, four pallets of gules and five of or; and the Kingdom of Granada, a pomegranate with stem and leaves; each component is surmounted by a crown, the clasp is a sliding hook and eye catch creating a complete silver bow link at the back of the collar, the reverse of each link is plain with rivets, the knotted links each measure 36.33mm (w) x 22.65mm (h – inclusive of integral ring), while the bow and enamelled coat of arms element links measure 26.25mm (w) x 51.28 (h – inclusive of integral ring), the collar weighs 344.5 grams (including collar badge), scattered gilt wear, enamel damage to eight of ten crests, crest of castile near the collar badge is slightly loose, a beautiful and very rare collar, in very fine condition.

The collar badge features an eight armed cross with red enamelled arms, with a green enamelled wreath weaving under and over alternating arms, the obverse features the bust of the republic on a white enamel ring, surrounded by a white enamel ring with a thin radiating pattern, the reverse of the collar badge is plain, surmounted by a dual faced mural crown, measures 50.17mm (w) 62.95mm (h – mural crown), suspended from an ovular loop worn on the culminating link on the collar, small enamel wear on central medallion, otherwise enamels intact, lovely patina, a rare collar badge in near extremely fine condition.

Accompanied by a section of the sash, a 1932 Reglamento De La Orden De La Republica booklet, three pieces of an incomplete award document, and a hand painted prototype illustrating alternative link designs with chain attachments for the collar badge.

Footnote: The Order of the Spanish Republic (Orden de la República Española) was instituted by the government of the Second Spanish Republic in 1932. It was awarded to either foreign or Spanish citizens, and military personnel, who served and benefited the cause of the Second Republic in Spain.

The Collar was conferred exclusively upon Heads of States and was only awarded a total of 7 times. One known version was awarded to Albert Lebrun, President of France in 1932. This example is held in high regard at the Museum of the Legion d’Honneur in Paris.