An Order of Nidan al Iftikar Medal, awarded by Ahmed Pasha Bey 1929-1942. Inscription reads "Sidi Ahmed", his name.
Tunisian Order of Glory Medals were awarded from 1835 until 1957 under different Beys whose name appears in the Centre.
Missing is the extra suspension of a jewelled ribbon and the actual ribbon denoting the class, which for this era held 6 levels: Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight 1st class, Knight 2nd class.
Most examples I have found have been enamelled, this one is not it shows no remnants of enamel on it. I did read somewhere that lower class medals were rare as they were handed in on promotion??? Were lower class medals plain???
The medal is hallmarked with a single Moor Head, a Tunisian Silver mark used from 1905-1942 and shows .800 of silver. Weight 36g.
The medal is beautifully made from maybe four separate parts, the rivets of the two ten pointed stars are visible from the back, the inscription and domed back plate also appear to have been individually crafted. The marcasite facet 'jewels', bordered by tiny beading, are intricate and glisten brilliantly. I cannot find any makers mark, there is a 'smudge' on the back, but not sure? The Moor Head could easily be mistaken for a 'pit'.
NB RE PHOTO'S: Close up shots have been taken under magnification. The full front and back are regular shots, the pencil is pointing to the moor head hallmark.
Low starting price as no provenance.
Opinion, please.
![[arf2.gif]](./images/smilies/arf2.gif "denti")
Hanno fatto però un lavoro perfetto: non é rimasta neanche la minima traccia di smalto. Scaldata ad alta temperatura e quindi tuffata in acqua per disintegare la materia vetrosa? O altro metodo? Confesso che l'assenza di smalto é talmente totale da farmi credere che possa veramente non essere mai stata smaltata... anche se la preparazione dei fondi é inequivocabile: il pezzo é stato concepito per essere (normalmente) smaltato.