Grand Cross Set of the Order. Sash Badge in gilt Silver as a white enameled, five-pointed star with grooved border and ball-finials flanked by polished rays; green enameled centre medallion bearing the image of a white elephant wearing a saddle-cloth at the Sultan’s colours, in finest, raised enamel miniature; red enameled outer circlet, with inscription in Cameroonese-arabic calligraphy, accurately set in gold-foil; stirrup-shaped upper loop to which is attached/hinged a white enameled crescent with sphaerical loop and round, suspension ring; green enameled reverse centre medallion, bearing the arabic, calligraphic “Ba” monogram in gold foil, within red enameled outer circlet, also bearing a long, calligraphic inscription, similarly to the obverse; the suspension ring, with thin ribbon strip at the right colours of the now missing, original sash ribbon. Breast Star in gilt Silver and enamels, similar to the badge’s obverse, but larger and very convex, also with the beautifully, miniature painted centre medallion, enclosed by the red enameled outer circlet, enriched by long, calligraphic inscription in gold-foil; polished reverse, with broad, tapering pin (this, struck with french silver- and maker’s marks, probably of Lemaitre, Paris) and two side-hooks.
A beautifully-made and extremely rare set of this order, perhaps one of the finest orders created in Africa, maybe unique; this being the best made and perhaps the elder one; almost excellent condition and with beautiful, attractive patina.
Dim.: the badge: 107,0 x 69,0 mm.; the star, dia. 86,0 x 83,0 mm.
Note: the Reign of Foumban and the Lordship (Mfon) of the Bamoun people, is one of the oldest kingdoms of Africa (theoretically founded in 1394 AD); in the late 19th Century reached a grade of modernity due to the contacts and commerce with the Europeans, although still retaining tribal and ancient traditions and costumes. Sultan Ibrahim Nyoya, 18th ruler on the Foumban throne (reigned between 1889-1931), converted himself and his people to Islam, although retaining the right to follow christianism and the tribal worships, until a new religion, mixing the characters of Islam, Christrianity and local religions was created, along with a common language and writing; under his rule, a system of Orders and Decorations was also created, where the hereby offered set is an almost unique testimony, probably from the belongings of Ibrahim Nyoya himself, or inherited by his successor, Seidou Njimoulou Nyoya (1933-1992).