A collection of medals and decorations, acquired from the estate of the last King of Portugal, Manuel II in 1932. To include: Portugal military order of Vila Vicosa, Grand Cross star by Joaquim Augusta da Costa of Lisbon, plus another example by the same marker (minus its box, ribbon, and with some faults to the front. The Princely House Order of Hohenzollern Silver Cross of Merit, with original box, but minus its ribbon. A Japanese Order of the Rising Sun 1st Class Badge, which could be missing its flower suspension ring, and with an added pin to the reverse. A Spanish Order of Isabella the Catholic, by CE Jalvo, Madrid, complete with case and ribbon (and an additional loose enamel centrepiece). And, a miniature button hole fitting for the Portuguese Military Order of Christ, in silver gilt and enamel. Together with a silver filigree work and enamel match case, and silve gilt bracelet, with the case displaying the Royal arms of Portugal, and the bracelet having the insignia of Military Order of Christ (the case with silver assay mark). Notes: We’ve been able to confirm that 2 of the above mentioned decorations were known to have been conferred upon King Manual II of Portugal, those being the Portuguese Military order of Vila Viscosa, and the Portuguese Military Order of Christ - photographic evidence back this up, with Vila Viscosa decoration seen being worn by Manuel on his chest. A different grade of the Hohenzollern Cross was conferred upon Manuel, but it would not seem to match the example in this collection. It’s assumed that perhaps the other decorations were once conferred on other family members, or retainers. Provenance: the piece was originally acquired by Joaquim Pereira (who was formally known as Antonio), who began his service with the Portuguese Monarch, King Carlos I (1863-1908) in the late 19th century. In 1908 King Carlos was assassinated while travelling by carriage, with shots being fired from undergrowth by the Republican activists, Alfredo Luis da Costa, and Manuel Buica. The heir apparent, Luis Filipe, Prince of Portugal, Duke of Braganza was mortally wounded, with the future King Manuel being shot in the arm. Manuel’s reign lasted less than 3 years, and was overthrown during a military coup, after which the Portuguese First Republic was established. King Manuel II fled into exile, later settling in Fullwell Park in Twickenham, Middlesex, where he was to die aged 42 on July 2nd 1932. Joaquim Pereira was still in the service of the monarchy at the time of the King’s death in 1932, and he was given the opportunity to collect a number of the King’s belongings, which included these medals and decorations. There were numerous other pieces, including furniture that were stored at Fullwell Park, but they were lost during a flooding of the cellar they were stored in. The decorations and other items have been passed down through the paternal line of the Pereira family, with Joaquim’s great-grandson being the present owner. Condition: generally good to most items. The Military Order of Vila Vicosa is in good condition, with intact enamels, and a good gilt finish - the second example has a white enamel star missing out the front, plus some dulling to the finish. The Hohenzollern Cross of Merit is in good condition, with just a little wear to the exterior and interior of the case, and is minus its ribbon. The Order of the Rising Sun has some hairline fractures to several the white enamel rays, and it’s presumed that the very edges of the rays have been bent back slightly, thus causing stress to the enamel. The central red enamel boss is in good condition, and the badge retains most of its gilt finish. The Order of Isabella the Catholic remains in good condition, as do the remaining 3 items in the collection.
