Order of Saint James, Portugal, from the World's Decorations series (N44) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This small chromolithograph from Allen & Ginter's "World's Decorations" series presents the Order of Saint James of Portugal. The symmetrical composition immediately draws the eye to the central emblem: a vibrant red cross, its form echoed in the surrounding laurel wreath. This is suspended from a simple ribbon. Note how the color red dominates, a signifier of passion, sacrifice, and perhaps nobility, set against the muted background. The cross itself is framed by an inscription, hinting at the order’s values and purpose. Flanking this central motif are delicate, stylized floral designs, almost like ghostly echoes, which soften the otherwise rigid geometry. The artist uses a formal language of heraldry and symbolism, carefully arranging these elements to convey authority, tradition, and the values associated with the Order. The interplay between geometric and organic forms creates a visual tension, a dance between the structured world of institutions and the natural world. The print transforms a historical emblem into a cultural artifact, one that invites contemplation on the ways in which societies construct and communicate meaning.