India, Patiala State. An Order of the Holy Saint, Collar & Star, by Spink & Son, c.1935
(Gurughar Manya Mandal). This order was manufactured by Spink and Son of London circa 1936. A beautiful star of the order in silver gilt with royal blue enamels, maker marked "SPINK & SON Ltd LONDON" on the reverse cartouche, illustrating the painted bust of the Holy Saint in the centre, surrounded by a royal blue enamelled garter containing the Motto of the Order, the garter surmounted by a silver dove and backed by silver crossed arrows, mounted to an eight-pointed star with alternating rays in silver gilt and royal blue enamels, 82 mm (w) x 82 mm (h), vertical pinback. The Collar Chain in silver gilt and housing the four alternating icons of the Holy Saint, Guru Gobind Singh, consisting of six 10.2 mm x 27.2 mm Ribands pierced by an Arrow in silver gilt with light blue enamels, four 24.8 mm Doves upon a Wreath in silver, silver gilt and royal blue enamels, four 17 mm x 21 mm Katars (Daggers) in silver, silver gilt and royal blue enamels and four 24 mm Crossed Swords upon a Wreath in silver gilt with white enamels, each of the icons with four loops attached, two on either side, each joined together by two rows of three elongated links. The front of the chain has a 23.3 mm x 42 mm double device suspension illustrating a central wreath bearing a diamond-shape, conjoined with Doves upon a Wreath on either side, the device in silver, silver gilt with royal blue and white enamels, a hook on the reverse for placement of the Badge which has been lost to time, while the two ends of the chain where they meet behind the wearer's neck houses a 14.5 mm x 24 mm silver gilt catch with slide release, the catch bearing a silver dove on its reverse. The chain measures approximately 640 mm in length. Intact enamels on both the Breast Star and Collar Chain, extremely fine. In addition, there are two Rosettes with black metal button hole attachments, measuring 9.8 mm and 12.5 mm respectively. In their hardshelled case of issue, maker marked "SPINK & SON Ltd LONDON" on the orange satin-lined inside lid, navy blue velvet raised platform with recessed medal beds for the Collar Chain, Badge, Breast Star and Rosettes, the Badge having been lost to time, dual slide release on the front, dual hinged on the back, scuffing and edge wear evident on the exterior, case very fine.
Footnote: The award was instituted in 1936 by Maharaja Bhupendra Singh. Some sources say it was intended for award to Sikhs 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, Gurughar 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 the Holy Saint." 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.