The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Collar

CATEGORY: Version

SKU: 01.GBR.0107.101.01.000

Estimated market value:

$33000 USD

  • Collar Obverse

Estimated market value:

$33000 USD

Attributes

  • Country
    Great Britain
  • Makers
    Garrard, London
  • Composition
    Silver gilt/Silver/Onyx/Enamelled
  • Inscription
    Obv: HEAVEN'S LIGHT OUR GUIDE
  • Size
    1570mm; 58x95mm (Badge appendant)
  • Image Licensing
    The Collar image is sourced from Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, 1884. The book falls within the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or less. See the following page for more information: https://archive.org/details/generalarmoryofe00burk.

History


This Order was established by Queen Victoria, by her own proposal, in 1857. It was created to recognize loyal Indian citizens in the newly formalized British colony. It was intended to be the Indian equivalent of the English Order of the Garter, the Scottish Order of the Thistle, and the Irish Order of Saint Patrick. The Order has never been officially abolished, but no appointments have been made since India gained independence in 1947.

The Order was conferred upon members of the Indian civil service for meritorious service, as well as to Indian princes for their loyalty to the British crown. It was originally conferred in a single grade but was expanded to three grades in 1866. The first class was awarded in recognition of loyal service to India, and the second and third classes were awarded in recognition of at least 30 years of meritorious service. Foreigners could also be admitted to the Order, but only as honorary members.

When the Order was conferred in a single class, membership was limited to 26 Knights. Membership limits were first changed when the Order was expanded in 1866 and thereafter membership continued to be altered. In 1939, when the last amendments were made to the Order, membership was limited to 46 Knights Grand Commander, 106 Knights Commander, and 237 Companions. Members of the first and second classes were entitled to use the title “Sir.”

The motto of the Order was “HEAVEN’S LIGHT OUR GUIDE.”

The Collar was worn by Knights Grand Commander on formal occasions along with a mantle. It was composed of six lotus flower links, 10 palm branch links, 5 white rose links, and 5 red rose links. The badge appendant was suspended from a central imperial crown link and was surmounted by a silver star. The badge appendant features the portrait of Queen Victoria surrounded by the motto of the Order.

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