Royal Victorian Order. Miniature of the fourth or fifth class.

A good silver and enamel miniature of the Royal Victorian Order, fourth or fifth class with king’s crown, mounted as worn with original ribbon. A very important order, taking percedence just after the Imperial Order of the Crown of India, in the personal gift of the sovereign for outstanding service to the monarch or the Royal Family. For comparative purposes one photograph shows the cross beside the slightly larger Commander’s badge [CVO], which also has the arms of the cross enamelled in white [to be found elsewhere in this category]. The Order was quite often awarded to Indian rulers and high officials, British and Indian – particularly during Royal Tours of India. 26 six 4th Class and 4 5th Orders were given by the King Emperor at the 1911 Coronation Durbar in Delhi.   dec4/1