Latin American Art

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Lot 61
  • 61

Lemaître, Paris

Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 USD
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Description

  • Lemaître, Paris
  • Mexico, Imperial Order of the Mexican Eagle, Grand Cross set of insignia

  • Collar, in silver and enamels, formed of thirty links representing alternating Mexican eagles and crowned monograms of the Emperor Maximilian I; Sash or Collar Badge, in silver and enamels, in the form of a crowned Mexican eagle holding crossed sword and sceptre; Breast Star, in silver with gold center surrounded by concentric borders of small rubies and emeralds, each of the four points set with a larger emerald; the reverse with silver brooch-pin, suspension hooks and backplate with maker's name and address Lemaître rue coquillère no 40 Paris.

  • Height of breast star: 3 3/4 in. (9.6 cm)
  • Height of pendant: 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)

Condition

Chips to green enamel cactus and serpent on pendant; all serpents with losses to green enamel; eagle at 9:30 missing green enamel on one cactus petal; velvet of box rubbed and partly frayed; hinge of box broken at top; top rather scuffed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The Order of the Mexican Eagle was established by decree of the ill-starred Emperor Maximilian dated January 1, 1865. It was bestowed for "Outstanding Merit and Extraordinary Service to the State and to the Emperor" and there were six grades, of which this, the Grand Cross with Collar, was the highest.

 

The initial commission for making the insignia was apparently granted to the Paris manufacturers A. Kretly.  The present set by G. Lemaitre, also of Paris, was probably produced in the late 1870s or early 1880s – a few years after the execution of Maximilian himself, with two of his Generals, on June 19, 1867.