Miniature gilt and blue enamel cross clechée with laterally pierced spherical eyelet for ribbon suspension ring; the face with a central gilt medallion with the portrait in relief of Simón Bolívar encircled by a blue enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘COLOMBIA CENT. DE BOYACA’; the reverse with a central blue enamel medallion inscribed in gilt letters ‘1819 7 DE AGOSTO 1919 (1819 7th August 1919); diameter 16mm (⅝ inch); all enamel intact; on original ribbon in the national colours of Colombia. The Cross was instituted on 8 August 1919 by Presidential Decree No. 1667 to be awarded to the officers (silver) and other ranks (bronze). On 17 April 1922 the award was modified by the addition of a ‘gold’ class, the bust of Bolívar replacing the flag of the Republic on the face and its award to eminent non-Colombians as well as Colombians being enabled. The Cross was replaced in 1927 by the Order of Boyacá. This example is of the extremely rare second type (1922-1927) and would have been intended to be awarded to ministers, diplomats and senior officers. As a miniature, it would have been worn with formal evening dress. It is probable that it was made by Werner of Berlin who were renowned for their fine manufacture of Colombian orders, including the Centenniel Cross of Boyacá at this date. The Cross was the subject of an article in the Journal of the O.M.S.A., March 1971, pp 36-37, by Harry A. Kohler, a photocopy of which will be provided to the buyer of this award. Boyacá was the scene of the definitive triumph of the Revolutionaries over Spanish Monarchist forces and led directly to the independence of the countries of South America. An extremely rare award of fine quality and in excellent condition.
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