**SOLD**

Offered is an original Order of the British Empire (Commander), 2nd Type, Civil award in it's fitted case.

63 mm wide large silver-gilt and pale blue enamel cross patonce on hinged Tudor crown suspension; the face with a circular central silver-gilt medallion imposed with the crowned head and shoulders portraits of King George V and Queen Mary facing left within a red enamel ring inscribed ‘FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE’; the reverse with a circular central medallion with the crowned cipher of King and Emperor George V within a rope border; on original full neck ribbon with hook and eye fittings. Comes in it's David Sutton and Sons fitted award case.

The Order was instituted by King George V on 4 June 1917 in five grades to acknowledge the service of non-combatants during wartime. In 1918 the Order was divided into Civil and Military divisions. This example is of the second type. Prior to 1935, the Order has Britannia rather than King George V and Queen Mary on the face. Today the Order is awarded for distinguished service in any sphere of activity and honorary awards may be made to foreigners.