International. An Apostolic and Hospitaller Order of Saint George of Burgundy, I Class Grand Cross, Cased

(Ordre Equestre Apostolique de Saint-Georges de Bourgogne). Instituted in 1390, Revived in 1485, Suppressed in 1824, Re-Registered in 1929. Grand Cross Badge with a three-piece construction, in silver-gilt with azure blue enamels, unmarked, the arms of the cross enamelled and finished with ball finials at the tips, designed with a large fleur de lys between each arm, obverse oval centrepiece illustrating St. George on horseback slaying the dragon within a beaded border, reverse oval centrepiece illustrating the Virgin Mary holding a staff and the Christ child within a beaded border, measuring 52.8 mm (w) x 122 mm (h) inclusive of its large crown and trophy of arms suspension, the latter with a vertical loop affixed to the reverse, intact enamels, very light contact, accompanied by an original full-length sash that features a large bow-tie, near extremely fine. Also included are two stickpins in silver gilt, measuring 17.5 mm (w) x 7.7 mm (h) each, one on a 45.5 mm long stickpin, the other on a 24 mm long stickpin. In their hardshelled case of issue, wooden-framed, steel blue pebbled exterior on five sides, the bottom with a navy blue dimpled finish, inside lid lined in off-white cloth and padded, raised platform in off-white felt with recessed medal beds for the badge and the missing breast star that has been lost to time, clasp closure, dual-hinged, measuring 128 mm (w) x 295 mm (h) x 78 mm (d), spotting and wear spots evident on the exterior, the back panel having separated from the body of the lid but remains attached to the base of the case, the off-white felt of the medal bed exhibiting light soiling and discolouration, case near fine.

Footnote: The Order of Saint George of Burgundy was founded in 1390, subsequently lapsed, was revived in 1485 and continued in existence into the nineteenth century, despite the ravages of the French Revolution, and was suppressed by Royal Ordinance of April 16, 1824 which made it illegal to wear decorations and insignia other than those of Royal orders. An instruction of the Chancery of the Legion of Honour of May 5, 1824 specifically cited the Order of Saint George as abolished. The Order reappeared in the 1920s, being registered as a not-for-profit organization under French law on March 14, 1929, and claimed a number of prominent members. It is generally believed that the revived Order became dormant in the mid-1930s but it was included in the list of Orders banned by the Holy See in 1953.