Bidspirit auction | ”Duchess of Lafões, Royal Order

”Duchess of Lafões, Royal Order of Ladies of Santa Isabel. Oval medal hanging from the loop to the chest, on the front a medallion with engravings according to the original design of the Statutes, with a suspension ring, with a blue enamel surround (with flaws in the enamel), on the back with an engraving “Duquesa / de Lafões / 1808” ( sic). Gilded silver, dim. 52x43 mm (oval) and dia. 20 mm (ring); Weight 17.9 g. Insignia attributed on July 4, 1804 to the Duchess of Lafões, D. Maria Henriqueta, as 1st Lady. It appeared in the exhibition and is illustrated in the “D. João VI and His Era” (Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, 1998, p. 230). The only known example of the original 1804 insignia, made in a loop, according to the design published in the Statutes. Of the highest rarity and historical value,”