Republic of Nicaragua - Orden de Rubén Darío
Dimensions: 78.60 x 78.32 mm
Construction: Gilded silver with enamel
Condition: Near Extremely Fine
A Grand Cross breast star of the Order of Rubén Darío, awarded for significant contributions to culture, literature, and the arts.
The four-pointed star features nine rays per arm, with three additional rays between the quadrants. The obverse has a blue-enameled cross, with symbolic elements on each arm:
Horizontal arms: White-enameled swans
Bottom arm: A harp with laurels, symbolizing artistic and cultural achievement
Top arm: A finely hand-painted depiction of five mountains under a shining sun, a national emblem of Nicaragua
At the center, a circular blue-enameled medallion bears the profile of Rubén Darío, Nicaragua’s most renowned poet and literary figure. Surrounding it is a broad white-enameled ring inscribed with "Orden de Rubén Darío" in capitalized lettering.
The reverse is plain, featuring a raised barrel hinge, vertical round wire pinback, and a rightward-facing round wire catch. Two downward-pointing stabilizing hooks ensure secure attachment to a uniform.
The piece is unmarked but finely crafted, with exceptionally well-preserved enamels, free of chips or flakes.
A rare and highly prestigious Nicaraguan order, awarded at the highest level to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to literature, culture, and the arts.