Bidspirit auction | Marquês de Belas, Grand Cross

Marquês de Belas, Grand Cross scoreboard based on the English model. OTE/PL3.8B. Converging silver rays bevelled in a square and smaller dimension, with pierced tips, domed golden silver center and green enamel on the crown. Wired and sealed label, “Cadaval. Inv. 280. Ilmo. and Hon. Lord Marquês de Belas Brasil”. Sealing with the portrait of D. Segismundo Álvares Pereira de Melo (brother of the Duke of Cadaval and Duke of Lafões by marriage). Dia. 80 mm; Weight 66.7 g. The inventory of Casa de Cadaval no. 280 is not known. Similar plaques are described in Cadaval Inventory no. 249 of 1820, item 8: “4 Plaques of the said Order made in our Arsenal according to the English design. It has a label.” (book p. 197 variants). The 2nd Marquis of Belas, Colonel D. António Maria Vasconcelos e Sousa was named Honorary Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Tower and Sword on December 17, 1813.