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Decoration - Royal American Order of Isabella the Catholic
  • Royal American Order of Isabella the Catholic
    Unknown
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Royal American Order of Isabella the Catholic

  • Object:

    Decoration

  • Place of origin:

    Spain (made)

  • Date:

    1850-1900 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Gold, enamelled

  • Credit Line:

    Given by the family of the late Sir J. C. Robinson

  • Museum number:

    A.10-2006

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

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This Order was instituted by King Ferdinand VII in 1815 to celebrate his return to the throne and to honour Queen Isabella (1451-1504) under whom Spain had united and prospered. When awarded to foreigners it is for services to Spain. It was awarded to John Charles Robinson (1824-1913), curator, scholar and collector, who worked at the V&A in its earliest days and was a very important figure in the formation of the collections.

Physical description

Decoration in the form of an enamelled gold Maltese cross with rays in the angles of the cross. Central white enamelled medallion shows the columns of Hercules and two globes with a single crown. Suspension ring in form of oval green enamelled laurel wreath. Inscription.
Given together with A.1 to A.9 and A.11 to A.14, by Gerald Robinson.

Place of Origin

Spain (made)

Date

1850-1900 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Gold, enamelled

Marks and inscriptions

'A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA' 'For loyalty shown'
'POR YSABEL LA CATOLICA' 'For Isabella the Catholic'

Dimensions

Height: 28 mm maximum, Width: 19 mm

Object history note

This miniature version of the Order (A.9-2006) was awarded to John Charles Robinson during his lifetime. It would have been worn on occasions when use of the full sized decoration was not appropriate.

Historical context note

The Order of Isabella the Catholic was instituted in 1815 by King Ferdinand VII, to celebrate his return to the throne, and to honour Queen Isabella (1451-1504) under whom Spain had united and prospered. When awarded to foreigners it is for services to Spain.

Descriptive line

Decoration, enamelled gold, 'Royal American Order of Isabella the Catholic', miniature version in the form of a Maltese Cross, Spanish, 19th century

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Orders, Medals and Decorations of Britain and Europe, by Paul Hieronymussen, London, 1966.

Associated names

Robinson, John Charles (Sir)

Materials

Gold; Enamel

Techniques

Enamelling

Subjects depicted

Crowns (headdresses); Laurel wreaths; Maltese crosses; Globes (cartographic spheres); Awards

Categories

Metalwork; Coins & Medals

Collection code

SCP

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Qr_O128680
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