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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 309

(x) The 1st Class Order of Orange-Nassau attributed to Rika De Backer-Van Ocken, the first Belgian woman to hold a ministerial post as the Minister of Culture and Flemish Affairs for Belgium in 1974-81 and she later served in the European Parliament

Netherlands, Kingdom, Order of Orange-Nassau, 1st Class Grand Cross set of Insignia, Civil Division, by Rijksmunt, Utrecht, comprising sash Badge, 87mm including crown suspension x 56mm, silver-gilt and enamel, on full sash as worn; breast Star, 83mm, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, maker’s cartouche to reverse, toned, otherwise extremely fine, in its Kanselarij der Nederlandse Orden case of issue, with lapel badge with rosette (2)

Rika De Backer-Van Ocken was born on 1 February 1923 in Antwerp and went on to have a long and successful political career. Following the Second World War, De Backer promoted women’s suffrage as a member of the Catholic Workers Women’s Guilds and was also a member of the Christian People’s Party. She gained her first political seat in 1968 as vice chair of that party’s Antwerp branch.

De Backer became the first ever Belgian woman to occupy a ministerial post when in 1974 she was appointed to the cabinet of Leo Tindemans to serve as Minister of Culture and Flemish Affairs. During her tenure she founded the Flemish Cultural Centre in Amsterdam, was appointed State Secretary for the Flemish Community in 1979 and also headed the Flemish development agency. She continued serving as a minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens until leaving office in late 1981. During this time De Backer also served as a senator from 1971 until 1984 and she was elected to the European Parliament in 1984 as part of the European People’s Party, where she served until 1989.

De-Backer died on 6 May 2002 in Weert, Netherlands following a battle with liver cancer. A street in Antwerp is named after her.

For Minister De Backer’s Portuguese collar chain please see lot 287, and for her other decorations please see lot 312.



Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£500 to £700

Starting price
£400