Highlights

Description

In 1408, King Sigismund of Hungary, later Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, founded the monarchical chivalric 'Order of the Dragon'. This society served a dual purpose of defending the faith and forging political links between its princely members and their sovereign. The dragon, vanquished by the cross, symbolises Christ's victory over sin and death. It remains unknown where this large badge of elaborate gold and silk embroidery was worn or displayed, yet it surely did not fail to have an impact. The dragon's body is plastically constructed and the eye formed by a glass bead looks menacing. It is the only one of the once very many badges of the Order of the Dragon that still exists in the world today.