Persian Order of the Lion and Sun, Star and Badge, Plate LV, 1844

This is an original antique wood engraving, colored by hand, showing the two insignia of the Persian Order of the Lion and Sun. At the top, item 1 is a breast star of silver rays drawn as a fine lattice, with eight red rays between them; the center is a red ring set with blue and green panels and small gold quatrefoils, around a medallion of a reclining lion with the rayed sun, given a human face, rising behind its back above green ground. Below, item 2 is an oval gold badge with a suspension ring, its border of red and gold enamel scattered with blue and set with four gold quatrefoils, enclosing the same lion and sun against a pale sky and green ground.

The running head reads "PERSE." (Persia) and the plate number "LV." The two insignia are numbered 1 and 2 below; neither carries an inscription. The lion and sun is the emblem that gives the order its name.

The plate comes from Ordres de Chevalerie et Marques d'Honneur, published by Auguste Wahlen at Brussels, Librairie Historique-Artistique, rue de Schaerbeek, 12, in 1844; the half title reads Histoire, costumes, décorations de tous les ordres de chevalerie, et marques d'honneur. Auguste Wahlen was the pen name of the Belgian writer Jean-François-Nicolas Loumyer (1801 to 1875), and the title page lists his own knighthoods in orders of Prussia, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Hanover, Greece, the Roman States, Saxe-Coburg and Brazil. The plates are relief prints, wood engravings colored by hand with watercolor.

The open composition, with two jewel-like pieces on a broad cream ground, gives this plate a quiet, spacious look on the wall.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.