The Order of the Nile (Nishan al-Nil) was established in 1915 by Sultan Hussein Kamel of Egypt as the highest civilian award of the country. It was awarded to both Egyptian and foreign dignitaries for outstanding service to Egypt in civil and military fields.
Dimensions:
Height (including crown suspension): 93.83 mm
Width: 62.81 mm
Design & Materials:
The medal is a five-pointed, white-enameled star, with golden radiant rays extending between the arms.
The central medallion features Arabic calligraphy in blue enamel on a gold background, encircled by an intricate floral pattern.
The suspension features a detailed royal crown, symbolizing its connection to the Egyptian monarchy.
The reverse central medallion is marked "LATTES," a known manufacturer of Egyptian orders.
The lower arm of the cross has hallmarks, indicating the metal content and authenticity.
Ribbon:
The original neck ribbon is blue with yellow edges, representing the order's official colors.
The ribbon is well-preserved, showing only minor signs of aging.
Condition Report
Front:
The enamel appears intact with minimal chipping or cracking.
The gold elements show some patina and natural wear, expected with age.
Reverse Side:
The hallmarks on the lower arm are clearly visible, adding to its authenticity.
The LATTES mark confirms that this piece was produced by the famous Egyptian-French maker.
Overall Condition:
Very good for its age, with only minor surface wear but no significant damage.
Historical Significance
Originally awarded for civil and military merit, often given to high-ranking Egyptian officials, foreign diplomats, and contributors to Egyptian society.
The Commander class, identifiable by its neck ribbon and crown suspension, was one of the higher ranks, ranking just below Grand Officer and Grand Cordon.
The order was discontinued after 1953, when Egypt became a republic, making pre-revolution pieces like this highly collectible.
Historical Importance of J. Lattes in Egypt
Royal Connections:
J. Lattes was a favored jeweler of the Egyptian royal family and aristocracy, producing state decorations, medals, and regalia for Egyptian rulers.
Identification of Hallmarks on the Order of the Nile (J. Lattes, Cairo)
Left Symbol: Maker’s Mark (Possibly J. Lattes)
The first hallmark appears to be the maker’s mark, likely associated with J. Lattes, Cairo.
Lattes was a known manufacturer of Egyptian orders, and their mark was commonly stamped on official insignia.
Middle Symbol: Egyptian Silver Hallmark – Cat Symbol
The second mark appears to be the Egyptian "Cat" hallmark, which was used to denote silver items.
In Egyptian assay standards, this mark indicates sterling silver (900 or 925 purity).
This hallmark was introduced in the early 20th century and was used extensively until Egypt shifted to a new system.
Right Symbol: Date Letter (Possibly "B")
Egyptian hallmarks used letters to indicate the year of production.
The letter "B" could correspond to a specific year within the Egyptian hallmarking system (e.g., 1920s–1940s era).
Summary of Findings
Maker: J. Lattes, Cairo
Material: Likely sterling silver (Egyptian 900 silver standard)
Date: Estimated early 20th century (1920s–1940s), based on hallmarks
Authenticity: The presence of these hallmarks strongly indicates this is an original Order of the Nile piece.