India, State Of Patiala. An Order Of Krishna Collar Chain, By Spink, C.1936

(Yaduvansh Manya Mandal). This order was manufactured by Spink and Son of London circa 1936. The chain in silver gilt and housing the four alternating icons of Krishna, consisting of four 19.5 mm Conchs in silver gilt with orange enamels, four 18 mm x 18.2 mm Quoits in silver gilt with blue enamels, four 19.5 mm x 19.5 mm lotus flowers in silver and four 14.8 mm x 15.5 mm crossed maces in silver gilt, each of the icons with four loops attached, two on either side, each joined together by multiple links. The front of the chain has a 19 mm x 30.3 mm three-tier crown of Patiala suspension for the missing badge in silver gilt with red, blue, green and white enamels, jeweller marked on its reverse, while the two ends of the chain where they meet behind the wearer's neck houses a 16.3 mm x 19.2 mm catch with slide release, engraved with a lotus flower on its obverse. The chain measures approximately 640 mm in length, with one tiny chip in the white enamels on the crown suspension, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, raised platform with recessed medal beds for the Collar Chain, Badge and Breast Star, the latter two having been lost to time, dual slide release on the front, dual hinged on the back, small wear spots on the exterior lid butting the hinged area, case also extremely fine.

Footnote: The award was instituted in 1936 by Maharaja Bhupendra Singh. Some sources say it was intended for award to Hindus and other dignitaries but the Statues of the Order do not support this religious distinction, although it seems safe to assume that it had some basis in practise. Neither do the Statutes confirm the alternate title, Yaduvansh Manya Mandal. Indeed, Article 1 of the Statues states: "It is ordained and enjoined that this Order shall be styled and designated in all proceedings The Order of Krishna." The Order consisted of the Sovereign and Grand Master and one class of members. Ordinary Members were limited to five in number and were selected from foreign Sovereigns and their consorts, reigning Princes and their heir apparent, Members of the State, Honourary Members and foreign persons. Numbers of Honourary Members were unlimited.