Ceremonial plaque of the Royal Cavalry Order of Zaragoza; 19th century.

Ceremonial plaque of the Royal Cavalry Order of Zaragoza, 19th century.
Gilded silver and enamel.
The gilding shows signs of wear and the tips are slightly bent.
Measurements: 8.5 cm (diameter).
Weight: 72 g.
Badge of the Royal Cavalry Order of Zaragoza crafted in gilded silver and enamel; the piece combines the excellence of silversmithing with an elaborate iconographic design intended to represent the prestige, tradition, and values of one of Spain’s most prominent equestrian institutions.
The central element of the composition is occupied by the figure of Saint George slaying the dragon, one of the most deeply rooted images in the European chivalric tradition. This legendary episode, associated with the triumph of good over evil, became a symbol of virtue, courage, and the defense of the faith in the Middle Ages—values that noble orders and guilds adopted as an essential part of their identity. The depiction is framed by a complex ornamental structure enriched with polychrome enamels and surrounded by four heraldic shields that reinforce the piece’s institutional character and allude to the Maestranza’s historical and territorial ties.
The Royal Cavalry Order of Zaragoza was founded in the 18th century under royal patronage with the aim of promoting equestrian practice and the military training of the nobility. Like other Spanish Maestranzas, it played a prominent role in preserving chivalric traditions during a time of profound political and social change.