Orders of the Lion and Sun made by Boullanger, Paris

In 1866, Francois-Victor Boullanger began selling orders from his newly opened shop in Paris. While he referred to himself as the "fabricant d'ordres francais et etrangers" they made very few orders. Instead, they sold the insignia of Lemaitre. In 1899, the enterprise continued under the name Boullanger & Co and was under the management of Blanche, Edouard, Auguste-Henri and Charles Boullanger. The firm was then continued by the brothers Edouard and Henri Boullanger since 1907. In 1920, the firm was purchased by Gaston Lemaitre and his son, F. Lemaitre, however orders were still sold under the name Maison Boullanger until 1938. The first address from 1866 to 1871 was 29 Rue des-Bons-Enfans, and later 24 Rue de la Paix from 1871 until 1912. After 1912, they were located at 5 Rue Danuou.​

2nd class breast star with stars from circa 1870s/1880s.
Silver, enamel.
Size 78 mm.

Central medallion.

Plate

 

1st class breast star of different iconography.

Silver, enamel.
Size 95 mm.

 

Beautiful diamond-cut breast star with central medallion features that are more typical for the Russian-made breast stars.

Silver, gilt, enamel.
Size 77 mm.

Note that on the dies along the perimeter of the central medallion the French manufacturer placed patterns that are imitating inscriptions in Persian.

 

5th class order made by Boullanger.

Silver, enamel.
Size 62.3 mm.

Unusual iconography. All green enamel on the rays was lost.

Original case.

 

5th class order of similar (if not identical) workmanship mounted in German style.

Silver, enamel.
Size 61.16 x 60.54 mm.
Weight (together with the ribbon bar) 52.3 g.

Unmarked.