Greece – Order of the Phoenix, grand commander (first issue, 1926-1935)

Description

The Order of the Phoenix was instituted by the Greek Republican government on 13 May 1926 to replace the Royal Order of George I and was awarded exclusively to eminent non-Greeks who had served the cause of Greece. When the monarchy was restored in 1935, the Order was retained, prefixed ‘Royal’, the phoenix was crowned and its award to Greek citizens approved for outstanding merit in the fields of arts, letters, science, commerce, industry and public life.

With abolition of the monarchy in 1973, the prefix and crown were discarded but the Order continues to be awarded to this day. This example is from the first period of the Order, prior to the restoration of the monarchy in 1935. Large silver-gilt edged white enamel cross patonce with loop and suspension ring for neck ribbon.

The face with a silver gilt phoenix imposed centrally, a five-pointed gilt star on the upper arm, the tips of the left, upper, lower and right arms inscribed in gilt ‘Ε’, ‘Τ’, ‘Τ’, ‘Α’ respectively, being the first letters of the motto ‘From my ashes I am reborn’. The reverse plain; on original distressed neck ribbon with ties. Large eight-pointed rayed silver star with the of a silver gilt phoenix imposed centrally.

The reverse mounted with pin and hooks for wear, the pin with “925” mark. In original fitted embossed case of issue by Huguenin Frères of Le Locle, Switzerland, the hinge reglued and some surface wear.