Iran - Kingdom of, Pahlavi Dynasty: Order of Homayoun Grand Cross set, comprising a sash badge in silver, a four pointed star with a hand painted centre piece featuring a lion holding a sword, together with eight pointed smooth silver rays breast star with central green enamelled ray in each arm and hand painted scene of a lion holding a sword backed by a sun, the reverse features a vertical pin flanked by dual stays - contained in Arthus Bertrand, Paris presentation case. Circa 1960s. Attributed to Dr Carl Bobleter, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Austria.
Condition: enamel work excellent, Nearly Extremely Fine.
Provenance: acquired from a member of the recipient’s family.
Dr Carl Heinz Bobleter, was a prominent Austrian Diplomat, who held various ambassadorial roles during the 1950s-1970s, and in a position that specifically represented Austria’s interest in international economic matters, he was the Ambassador of Austria to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development between 1958 and 1964. He was later State Secretary at the Foreign Ministry and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Austria, notably speaking at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in April 1967.
Instituted February 15, 1939. A Grand Cross Set, comprising a sash badge in silver, a four pointed star with a hand painted center piece featuring a lion holding a sword, encircled by a red and green ring, plain reverse, measures 59.6 mm (w) x 59.5 mm (h), enamels intact, unmarked, worn on a full length red and green silk sash, in extremely fine condition.
The star of the order, eight points of smooth silver rays with a central green enamelled ray in each arm, the obverse medallion features a hand painted scene of a lion holding a sword backed by a sun, the reverse features a vertical pin flanked by dual stays, marked on the pin AB&Cie 800 denoting Bertrand manufacture and 800 silver fineness, measures 96mm (w) x 95.7 mm (h), enamel damage to the 3 o’clock ray, light wear to silver, otherwise remains extremely fine.
Contained in the original case of issue, a burgundy leatherette exterior with the Order of the Homayoun insignia on the lid, interior silk lid marked ARTHUS BERTRAND PARIS, with partial medal bed and ribbon compartment, measures 150 mm (w) x 295 mm (h) x 63 mm (d), light scuffing to corners, complete with a small ribbon boutonniere denoting I Class.
The Imperial Order of the Lion and the Sun (Persian: نشان سلطنتی شیر و خورشید) was instituted by Fat’h Ali Shah of the Qajar dynasty in 1808 to honour foreign officials (later extended to Iranians) who had rendered distinguished services to Iran. In 1925, under the Pahlavi dynasty the Order continued as the Order of Homayoun with new insignia, though based on the Lion and Sun motif. This motif was used for centuries by the rulers of Iran, being formally adopted under Mohammad Shah.
