Item number: M231-4

Year: AD 1889-1914

Material: Gold and Enamel

Provenance: Morton & Eden 2024

This is a miniature version of the Order of Christ, one of the oldest and most historically significant decorations in Portugal.

The Order of Christ has deep historical ties to the famed Knights Templar of Europe. In AD 1312, under pressure from King Philip IV of France, Pope Clement V was compelled to dissolve the Templar Order. However, King Denis I of Portugal, citing the kingdom’s strategic position on the front lines of conflict with Islamic forces, successfully preserved the Templar presence in Portugal by reorganising it as the Order of Christ. Although the order has been abolished and reinstated multiple times throughout history, it remains one of the most prestigious honours awarded by the Portuguese Republic today, comprising five distinct classes.

The decoration is modelled after the emblem of the chivalric order, featuring a flared cross in red and white with gilded edges. At its top, it is joined to a red heart adorned with white enamel in an octagonal shape and radiating golden rays. In the miniature version, the crown of thorns surrounding the heart is omitted. In Christian doctrine, a heart encircled by thorns symbolises the sacrificial love and divine compassion of Jesus Christ.

物件編號: M231-4

年代: 公元 1889-1914 年

材質: 黃金和琺瑯

來源: 莫頓與伊登 2024

這是一枚葡萄牙歷史最為悠久的勳章之一，迷你版的「大十字功績勳章」。

大十字功績勳章的創立和歐洲歷史上赫赫有名的「聖殿騎士團」有密切關聯。公元1312年，教宗克萊孟五世在法國國王腓力四世施壓下被迫解散聖殿騎士團。然而時任葡萄牙國王迪尼什一世以葡萄牙是和伊斯蘭教征戰前線為理由，成功保留騎士團在葡萄牙的分支，但是將其改組為「基督騎士團」。雖然象徵騎士團的大十字功績勳章幾經撤銷，但是迄今仍是葡萄牙共和國的重要榮耀，總共有五種等級。

勳章外觀為模仿騎士團團徽的鑲金邊紅白配色的帶角十字架，頂端銜接以八角白色琺瑯和輻射狀的黃金光芒為裝飾的紅心，迷你版紅心省略荊棘的設計。在基督教教義之中，帶有荊棘的心臟象徵耶穌基督的犧牲和神聖之愛。