1st Class Breast Star of the model instituted during the short-lived Bulgarian Republic, before the communist regime who took the power in 1946. Smooth Silver rays, 89.5 mm., gilt Silver centre medallion with gilt lion (without the royal crown on the head) on translucent, red enamel, within a fine, diamond cut ring, green enameled outer circlet with the cyrillic order`s motto in gold lettering and laurel branches tied by a stylized bow, the whole, within a larger, gilt diamond-cut ring, smooth, polished reverse, with broad centre disc, vertical pin, struck with a "900" mark. An extremely rare and beautifully made star of this scarcely awarded class, most possibly of Austrian manufacture, although not hallmarked, extremely fine condition and with a fine, dark patina. With the taking of power by the communists of the so-called Patriotic Front, supported by the USSR , a new honour system was created, directly inspired by the soviet style. Provenance: Christie`s, sale of March 20th 1990, lot nr. 274. I RR!