Instituted in 1917. Civil Division, Type II (1935-Present), Cased in silver gilt with red and light blue enamels, unmarked, measuring 63.9 mm (w) x 85.6 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and integral ring suspension, weighs 58.6 grams including ribbon, intact enamels, on its full-length second type neck ribbon with hook and eye closure, traces of gilt wear evident on the reverse, near extremely fine. Ribbon extension included in case.
Contained in its original case of issue, black pebbled exterior, inscribed "C.B.E." (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Commander) in gold-coloured ink on the lid, inside lid in white satin, padded, maker marked "GARRARD & Co Ltd" and exhibiting the impression of the badge from the medal bed, base with a raised platform incorporating a recessed medal bed in off-white felt, measuring 120 mm (w) x 165 mm (h) x 35 mm (h), exhibiting light discolouration in the white felt of the medal bed, case also near extremely fine.
Footnote: Sir John Wyndham Pope-Hennessy was a British art historian, known for his directorship of the Victoria and Albert Museum (1967-1973) and the British Museum (1974-1976). His writings, including the tripartite Introduction to Italian Sculpture, and his magnum opus, Donatello: Sculptor, are regarded as classics in the field. Following the death of his brother, he left the British Museum and moved to New York, where he took up the post as head of the department of European painting. This was combined with a professorship at New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1974 and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1978. He moved to Florence at the age of 75, and died there five years later.