United Kingdom. A Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, Companion (CIE)

Instituted in 1878. Type III. In Gold with red, green and blue enamels, weighing 28.1 grams, measuring 36 mm (w) x 60.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, on its full-length original neck ribbon, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, marked "C. I. E." on the lid, maker marked "GARRARD & Co Ltd" on the inside lid, raised platform with recessed medal bed, case also extremely fine. Footnote: The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878, to reward British and native officials who served in India. The Order was originally called the Order of the Indian Empire and had only one class (Companion), but expanded to comprise two classes in 1887. The British authorities intended the Order to be a less exclusive version of the Order of the Star of India (founded in 1861); consequently, many more appointments were made to the former than to the latter. On February 15, 1887, the Order of the Indian Empire formally became The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire and was divided into two classes: Knights Commander and Companions. It was later revised to include three classes: Knight Grand Commander (GCIE), Knight Commander (KCIE) and Companion (CIE). No appointments have been made since 1947, the year that India and Pakistan became independent from the British Raj. With the death of the last surviving knight, the Maharaja of Dhrangadhra, the order became dormant in 2010. The motto of the Order is "Imperatricis auspiciis" (Latin for "Under the auspices of the Empress"), a reference to Queen Victoria, the first Empress of India