Vatican State. An Order Of St. Sylvester And The Golden Spur, Collar, C.1880

Type II (prior 1905). Military Division. In silver gilt, an extremely scarce collar chain from the late 18th century, consisting of alternating 17 links, eight representing the Order of St. Sylvester and nine representing the Order of the Golden Spur, each of which has an ornate capped dual framed column on either side, eight of the insignias with a Chi-Rho christogram symbol between the columns, the other nine insignias with an eight-pointed star between the columns, each of the insignias with two loops on either end and linked together via two single chain links to a central four-petalled period flower icon, with central link consisting of a gilded Vatican coat of arms with a slider on its reverse to hang the collar badge, plain reverse, approximate length 47 cm, with scattered gilt wear and contact, along with evident rusty spots on some of the links, otherwise very fine.

Footnote: The Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester Pope and Martyr, also referred to as the Sylvestrine Order, or the Pontifical Order of Pope Saint Sylvester, is one of the five Orders of Knighthood awarded directly by the Pope as Supreme Pontiff and head of the Catholic Church and as the Head of State of Vatican City.