Brazil - The Imperial Order of the Rose

The order of the Rose was founded by the Emperor Dom Pedro I. on October 17, 1829, on occasion of his second marriage to Amalie Princess of Leuchtenberg. Dom Pedro I. who was besides his epileptic seizures a tough character and had several mistresses. This may be the reason why his first wife, Leopoldine of Austria, deceased rather young, not even 30 years old, in 1826. They had five children together, among them Maria Gloria, later Queen of Spain, and Dom Pedro, who would be Dom Pedro I. successor, called Dom Pedro II.

After the death of Leopoldine of Austria, Dom Pedro I. went to Europe looking for a new wife. Due to his history and the influence of the Austrian chancellor Count Metternich a proper woman couldn't be obtained. Therefore his mistress, at this time still living at the Brazilian Court, was send away and negotiation with the Bavarian court Pedro got engaged to Amalie von Leuchtenberg, a daughter of the former Vice King of Italy, Eugen de Beauharnais. He was made the Duke of Leuchtenberg by his father in law King Maximilian von Bayern.

Two days after the engagement, October 17, 1829, the Order of the Rose was founded. Some say the order was founded due to Pedro saying: "...beautiful as a rose", looking at Amalie. The other theory was the fact that Amalie liked the Rose's very much and he surprised her giving her a diamond set grand cross badge upon her arrival in Brazil. The last version should be the correct one.

Fact is the precise planning of this order, proven by countless design drawings. The bear dates on them starting 4 weeks before she arrived in Brazil.

On April 6, 1831, Dom Pedro went into exile with his daughter Maria Gloria and his wife to Spain and gave his power to his underage son Dom Pedro, now Dom Pedro II. The 5 year old was substituted by a council until he turned 15 July 15, 1840. During 1831 and 1840 no order was awarded. Afterwards the order was awarded quite often, since Pedro had a strong connection to his mother. Therefore the Order of the Rose became the most important in Brazil. In addition to this the order was even more popular then the classical Brazilian orders, as the order of the Southern Cross, due to its pretty designs. The Grand Duke of Russia, how was listed for the Grand Cross of the higher Order of The Southern Cross, during a visit of Dom Pedro II. in Russia asked the Emperor of Brazil for the Order of the Rose after being given his Grand Cross set. Being asked for the reason, he answered that the Rose Order had the more elegant design. Needless to say, that he was given both orders.

After the revolution in 1889 the emperor of Brazil left his country. He diseased in Paris December 5, 1891.

The order of the Rose is still a very attractive decoration and quite rare. Looking at the number of awards it is quite clear, that certain classes are pretty difficult to obtain:

There are a number of different manufactures for this order. The main manufacture was Kretly in Paris and Wolfers in Brussels. This made it difficult to determine the sizes of the different badges of the order. Mr. G. Tammann came up with the following measurements in [mm]:

	badge		star		ribbon
	height x width	point to point diameter	height x width	point to point diameter	width
Grão Cruz					101 (sash)
efetivo	112x64	73 + crown	90x76	76 + crown
honorario	112x64	73 + crown	90x76	76 + crown
Grande Dignitario	89x52	59 + crown	85x72	72 + crown	60 (neck ribbon) since 1856 101 (sash)
Dignitario	55x50	55	72x72	72	60
Commendador	70x41	46 + crown	70x53 74x54	53 + crown 54 + crown	60 (neck ribbon)
Oficial	43x43	43	53x53 63x63	53 63	35 (brest ribbon) 60 (neck ribbon)
Cavaleiro	49x31 55x38	31 + crown 38 + crown	no star		35 (breast ribbon)

Compared to other decorations during this time frame , the order of the rose was of rather small diameter. The picture of the Bavarian officer Maximilian Freiherr von Speidel showing a Commendador decoration looks in comparison to his German decorations he is wearing on his medal bar equal in size:

Unfortunately there is no way of making the differentiation between the decorations awarded under Dom Pedro I. and Dom Pedro II. Even though the crown was different, the change was not shown in the design of the decoration. The only reliable basis is the French control mark law. French made pieces made during the regency of Dom Pedro I. show sometimes a ram (belier) mark if in gold and the hare (lievre) mark if in silver (gilt). During Pedro II's period the corresponding French marks are the eagle (aigle) and the boar (sanglier).

The following pictures show a Grand Dignitario Set made during the 2nd period under Dom Pedro II. The cross is marked with the eagle punch mark for golden pieces.