An important, Breast Badge of the Order, 46 x 31,8 mm., GOLD, medallion with chiselled beams all around, red enameled centre medallion with white enameled crescent and eight-pointed star, the outer circlet, chiselled with a pattern of scrolls, flowers and the cartouche with “1801”, similarly to the Nile’s Medal, red enameled reverse medallion with the Imperial Tughra of Sultan Selim III, also within an outer circlet, similar to that of the obverse, hinged suspension made as a military turban, enameled in translucent green sand white, with a chiselled crescent above, grooved suspension ring and original, red ribbon, in the original, red velvet case of issue.
A very rare piece, of the earliest Turkish award system, the Order of the Crescent was created in 1799 and awarded until 1812, its badges varied from large breast stars (like Lord Nelson’s one) to decorations made similarly to comparable, European orders, extremely fine condition and excellent manufacture. I R!