Portugal

Portugal, Order of Aviz, a rare and attractive paste-set late 18th century pendant,11.5cm high.The cross set with green pastes and the sun burst with white. Silver gilt mount. Original fitted case. One of the world's oldest Orders of Chivalry, the Order of Avis was established in 1144 and confirmed in 1162 by King Alfonso I. After a long period of abeyance, it was revived by Queen Maria (of Portugal) in 1789 who made it a reward for both civil and military merit. The newly-constituted order came in three classes and could also be awarded to foreigners. As with other Portuguese orders of the same period, the second half of the eighteenth century saw a relatively short-lived fashion for gem and paste-set insignia, surviving examples of which are now considered very rare.