Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic. Four Orders & Decorations

Includes:

1. Order of Merit in the Workplace, I Class (Orden al Mérito en el Trabajo). Instituted in 1954. Fullsize: in bronze gilt, measuring 61 mm (w) x 71 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball and ring suspension, on its original full-length neck ribbon; and Miniature: in bronze gilt, measuring 23 mm (w) x 28.5 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball and ring suspension, original ribbon with pinback. Accompanied by its 11 mm wide Rosette with push pin, in their hardshelled case of issue, black thatched exterior, Venezuelan coat-of-arms and inscribed "ORDEN AL MERITO EN EL TRABAJO / PRIMERA CLASE" in gold-coloured ink on the lid, inside lid in white nylon, padded and maker marked "Newplas Venezolana c. a.", base with a medal bed in royal blue felt, case measuring 120 mm (w) x 158 mm (h) x 29 mm (d), light soiling evident in one corner on the exterior.

2. Military Order of General-in-Chief Rafael Urdaneta, II Class for 20 Years' Service (Orden Militar General en Jefe Rafael Urdaneta). Instituted in 1946. Fullsize: three-piece construction, in silvered bronze, measuring 43.5 mm (w) x 46.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, original blue II Class ribbon with pinback; and Miniature: in silvered bronze, measuring 16 mm (w) x 18 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, original blue II Class ribbon with pinback. Accompanied by its 35.3 mm (w) x 12.8 mm (h) Ribbon Bar with dual push pins, in their hardshelled case of issue, black dimpled exterior, inscribed "Condecoración GRAL. RAFAEL URDANETA / SEGUNDA CLASE" in gold-coloured ink on the lid, inside lid in white nylon, padded and maker marked "RUSSELL UNIFORM CO. NEW YORK", base with a medal bed in gray felt, with recessed medal beds for the Order and Ribbon Bar, case measuring 90 mm (w) x 155 mm (h) x 22 mm (d).

3. Order of the Star of Carabobo (Condecoración Estrella de Carabobo). Institution date undetermined. Fullsize: in silvered bronze, measuring 60.5 mm (w) x 69 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension ring, original ribbon with dual prong pinback; and Miniature: in silvered bronze, measuring 16.3 mm (w) x 23.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension ring, original ribbon with single prong pinback. Accompanied by its 36.7 mm (w) x 13.5 mm (h) Ribbon Bar with clasp and dual push pins, and its 9.8 mm wide Rosette, in their hardshelled case of issue, steel blue thatched exterior, Venezuelan Army insignia and inscribed "CONDECORACION ESTRELLA DE CARABOBO / UNICA CLASE" in gold-coloured ink on the lid, inside lid in white satin, padded and maker marked "DISTINTIVOS VENEZOLANO FABRICANTES", base with a medal bed in red felt, with recessed beds for the Ribbon Bar and Rosette, case measuring 119.5 mm (w) x 160 mm (h) x 28.5 mm (d).

4. Cross of the Armed Forces of Cooperation [National Guard] (Cruz de las Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperación [Guardia Nacional]). Institution dated undetermined. Fullsize: three-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red and white enamels, measuring 53.5 mm (w) x 65 mm (h), original ribbon with pinback, intact enamels; and Miniature: in bronze gilt with red and white enamels, measuring 15.3 mm (w) x 20.7 mm (h), original ribbon with pinback, intact enamels. Accompanied by its 36 mm (w) x 10.5 mm (h) Ribbon Bar, and its 10 mm wide Rosette with push pin, in their hardshelled case of issue, brown pebbled exterior, Armed Forces [National Guard] insignia and inscribed "CRUZ DE LAS FUERZAS ARMADAS DE COOPERACION VENEZUELA / TERCERA CLASE" in gold-coloured ink on the lid, inside lid in white nylon, padded and maker marked "RUSSELL UNIFORM CO. NEW YORK", base with a medal bed in maroon felt, case measuring 125 mm (w) x 187 mm (h) x 32.5 mm (d), exhibiting wear on the lid likely due to the removal of a naming plating.

Ranging from better than very fine to near extremely fine.

Footnotes:

1. The Order of Merit in the Workplace was instituted on April 30, 1954 and is awarded to Venezuelan civil servants and workers for outstanding merit, in three grades.

2. The Military Order of General-in-Chief Rafael Urdaneta was instituted in 1946 and is awarded for long and prestigious service in the national armed forces of Venezuela and to encourage military virtues and excellence amongst career military officers, in three grades: I Class for 30 years' service, II Class for 20 years' service and III Class for 10 years' service. Rafael José Urdaneta y Faría (1788-1845) was a leading military and political figure in the early nineteenth century wars of independence against Spain and in the newly-independent Republic of Venezuela.

3. The Order of the Star of Carabobo is awarded to members of the Venezuelan army for distinguished service and may also be awarded to members of other branches of the Venezuelan armed forces and to civilians for significant contributions to the army, in a Single Class.