Cambodia, Kingdom. An Order Of The Queen, V Class Knight (Assarutti), C.1965

(Ordre de Sa Majesté la Reine, Meday Nei Preah Mohaksat Yeani). Instituted in 1962. Four-piece construction, in silver gilt with green enamels, centrepiece featuring an enamelled portrait of Queen Kossamak wearing the sash of the Royal Order of Cambodia, the centrepiece ring with an inscription in Khmer, mounted to a base incorporating thirty-two forked rays, the rays separated from one another by small balls, measuring 48 mm (w) x 75 mm (h) inclusive of its Khmer crown and laterally-pierced ball suspension, intact enamels, original ribbon, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Queen was established on October 1, 1962 for services to the Throne, in five classes: Grand Cross (Moha Serivodho or Mohasereivadh), Grand Officer (Vorsenea), Commander (Thipden), Officer (Senea) and Knight (Assarutti), along with a silver and a bronze medal. With the death of King Norodom Suramarit, Sihanouk's mother, Queen Kossamak was named to "symbolize" the throne, and a new medal for services to the court was established, but in this case on the pattern of an order.