23 - RARE NECKLACE OF THE ORDER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM THE RESTORATION ERA, CIRCA 1825

RARE NECKLACE OF THE ORDER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM THE RESTORATION ERA, CIRCA 1825 Made of gold, with 29 chiseled and enameled links featuring alternating motifs: a fleur-de-lis with red-enameled flames; the letter “H” of the order’s founder, Henry III, adorned on the top and sides with royal crowns, and on the underside with cornucopias and red-enameled flames; a trophy of arms featuring a plumed helmet enamelled in blue and white, a sword, a quiver, a mace, a trumpet, and a flag, as well as red-enamelled flames. The links are connected to one another by green-enameled rings and fluted links. One of the links holds the terminal jewel in place via two chains of 17 double links and a sturdy fluted cross ring. The terminal ornament of the Ouizille-Lemoine model: A double four-pointed cross with rounded ends, a white-enameled border, and a center decorated with green-enameled flames. Each arm is interspersed with a fleur-de-lis in the round. The obverse of the centerpiece is adorned with a dove with an undivided tail, white enameled with a gold border around the plumage, on a background of green enameled flames. The reverse of the centerpiece is divided into two parts, decorated with Saint Michael slaying the dragon, enameled. The necklace features a two-part hook clasp decorated with foliage and fleurs-de-lis, hallmarked with a ram’s head (1818–1838). Condition Report: Jewelry in Very Good condition. (Minimal hair-like imperfections and small areas of missing enamel on the flames on the reverse.) Necklace in Good condition. (Nineteen links with chips and missing enamel, mainly on the red flames, eight of which have slight deformities at the tips.) Ram’s head hallmark on a field of fleurs-de-lis. Un-enameled dove’s head. Eyes and beak enameled red. Dimensions (jewelry): 72 x 70 mm Dimensions (one link): 43 x 48 mm Total gross weight: 538 g Trilobed wooden case covered in red morocco leather (showing wear and small chips along the edge) stamped on the lid with the Great Arms of France encircled by the King’s orders, and around the perimeter, a frieze of intertwined laurel branches tied with ribbons holding, at their center, alternating fleurs-de-lis and crowns. Closes with three brass clasps; lid fasteners in sky-blue moiré (cut off). Gray velvet lining. It rests on five semispherical feet. The case bears the manufacturer’s label on the underside and inside the lid, stamped in gold: “OUIZILLE & LEMOINE BIJOUTIERS DU ROI QUAI CONTI n°7.” Order established by Henry III on December 31, 1578. A rare collar of the Order of the Holy Spirit, Restoration period, circa 1825 Provenance: - Presented during the Restoration to an unidentified knight of the Order; - Presented to the 5th Earl of Ashburnham, appointed on November 18, 1897, by Don Carlos, Duke of Madrid; - Presented to a French aristocratic family in the early 20th century; - Then passed down through the family. Bibliography: - Hervé PINOTEAU, *The State of the Order of the Holy Spirit in 1830 and the Survival of the King’s Orders*, Nouvelles éditions latines, 1983, p. 116; - Patrick SPILLIAERT, The French Royal Orders: A History of the Predecessors of the Legion of Honor, Le Léopard d’or, 2026, p. 125; - Patrick SPILLIAERT, *The Insignia of the Order of the Holy Spirit*, Le Léopard d’or, 2026, p. 125.