Bidspirit auction | ” 6th Duke of Cadaval

” 6th Duke of Cadaval D. Nuno Caetano Alvares Pereira de Mello, set of Grand Cross. OTE/GC3.2; OTE/PL3.8 variant. Appointed first Grand Cross Effective on December 21, 1808 in Rio de January. Insignia ordered to be made in Lisbon by the goldsmith Francisco dos Santos Leite, bearing profusely annotated wire tags: Plaque – “Cadaval - Mercê da Nova Order de His Excellência Senhor Duque de Cadaval Sixth of his Title, work of Santos Leite of Lisbon”; “Mercedes to the Sixth Duke given by H. A. R. the Lord D. Miguel. Inv. anno domini 1848. First pattern raised in the Royal Arsenal”. They are described in Cadaval Inventory no. Grand Cross of the said Order belonging to our Lord Duke. It has a label”; and in Inventory no. 380 of 1836, item 28: “1 Plate of the same Order (of the Tower and Sword), belonging to our Lord Duke, with the respective Grand Cross pendant” (book p. 354). Of the highest rarity and historical value”