WW1 ERA VENEZUELA ORDER OF THE LIBERATOR OFFICER MEDAL BREAST BADGE

Description

Offered is a circa WW1 era Venezuelan Order of the Liberator, Officer’s breast badge.

40mm high thirty-two-pointed rayed star, alternate arms of shorter length, on laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with a central elliptical medallion with the gilt head and shoulders portrait in relief of Simón Bolívar facing left, encircled by a blue enamel ring inscribed in gilt lettering with his name; the reverse with the arms of Venezuela in gilt relief; enamel intact and in excellent condition; on original ribbon with rosette denoting an award of ‘officer’ grade, with original mounting pin/bar to top of sewn ribbon.

The Order, sometimes incorrectly referred to as the ‘Order of Bolívar’ or the ‘Order of the Bust of Bolívar’, was originally founded on 14 September 1880 under President Antonio Guzmán Blanco. It was reformed in 1922 under the Presidency of Juan Vicente Gómez and regarded as a direct descendant of the ‘Medalla de Distinción con el busto del Libertador’ created on 11 March 1854 under the Presidency of José Gregorio Monagas. It is the highest award of the Venezuelan Republic and intended to reward distinguished service to the country, outstanding merit and beneficent works for the community. Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios y Blanco (1783-1830) was a major historical figure and revolutionary leader instrumental in liberating the northern countries of South America, including his native Venezuela, from Spanish colonial rule. Widely revered in those countries, he is referred to as ‘El Libertador’. At least seven versions of the insignia of the Order are known (the current version has Bolívar facing right) and this is an older version of some age and in superb condition.