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BADGE OF THE ORDER OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE

Creator(s): Franz Jauner (Jeweler)

On view in: French Drawing Room


About this object

Philippe the Good, Duke of Burgundy, founded the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1429 on the occasion of his marriage to Isabella of Portugal. He dedicated it to the greater glory of God and the defense of Christianity. When the line of the dukes of Burgundy expired, this order was awarded both in Austria and in Spain through the Hapsburgs. As the highest-ranking order, the Golden Fleece was the most coveted honor in Europe. The Austrian order, of which this is an example, was limited to fifty-one members. This particular order last belonged to Prince Lobkowitz, Duke of Raudnitz. The badge consists of four parts. The lowest is the fleece, a ram’s skin with the wool attached. Above it is a stylized rendering of a flint stone producing sparks, which here resemble flames. Next is an oval appendage. A horizontal piece at the top serves as a clasp to hold the red moiré ribbon.

The clasp holds the red moiré ribbon and has several large diamonds and a leaf-like decoration set with diamonds (70 old mine cut TW 3.82 carats), all in silver. The back is gold and engraved with two palmettes in openwork. Below this is a large oval section set with an elaborate pattern of large and small diamonds (214 old mine cut, TW 42.08 carats) in silver. Below this hangs another section, a stylized rendering of a flint stone producing sparks that here look like flames with the diamond in the center and a leaf-like projection at either side set with diamonds (120 old mine cut, TW 7.1 carats). From this hangs the fleece in gold with the ram's horns feet and legs with diamonds (31 old mine cut TW 75 points).

Object name:
BADGE OF THE ORDER OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE
Made from:
Gold -- silver -- diamonds --silk moiré
Made in:
Vienna, Austria
Date made:
18th c.-19th c.
Size:
14 × 7 cm (5 1/2 × 2 3/4 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
18.70
Class:
ORDER
Signature marks:
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973