37,760 CHF
“Order of the Star of India” Frazer & Haws, 31, Regent Street, London, No. 12272. Case by master casemaker Richard Macair Ball, with London hallmarks for 1889. Very fine, rare and important 18K gold and enamel, huntingcased, diamond-set, keyless minute-repeating watch. To be sold without reserve Varicolored gold with radial Roman numerals and sunk subsidiary seconds, fully engraved in a vermicelli pattern, the border with cast gold floral decoration. Blued steel “fleur-delis” hands. Notes The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The motto of the Order is Heaven's light our guide. The "Star of India," the emblem of the Order, also appeared on the flag of the Viceroy of India. The Order is the senior order of chivalry associated with the Empire of India; the junior order is The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire. It is the fifth-most senior British order of chivalry, outranked by The Most Noble Order of the Garter, The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick and The Most Honourable Order of the Bath. The British Sovereign was, and still is, Sovereign of the Order. The next-most senior member was the Grand Master; the position was held, ex officio, by the Viceroy of India. When the Order was established in 1861, there was only one class of Knights Companions. In 1866, however, it was expanded to three classes. Members of the first class were known as "K
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2006-11-12
