Yemen, Colony Of Aden. An Order Of Sultan Hussain Of Kathiri Badge, C. 1965

Instituted 1966. In silvered bronze with red and green painted insignia, mounted to a cast bronze with black painted upward-facing crescent base, maker marked ""J. RISTERER & SÖHNE WIEN XV./I."" on the reverse, the crescent with an inner and outer facet upon which is an Arabic inscription in two lines, translating as "This is the medal of our great Imam." the Arabic word for Imam split between the upper and lower lines, the center of the crescent with a five-pointed star backed by crossed scimitars or temgha swords (sometimes referred to as swords of war), the hilts touching the inner edge of the crescent while the blades extend over and beyond the tips of the crescent, each arm of the star is painted green on the right and red on the left, a circular device with a beaded edge bearing a heraldic shield upon a red background in the centre of the star, the shield bisected from upper right to lower left, the upper half bearing a jester’s head while the lower half has a fluted wine glass, both icons indicating the relatively frivolous nature of the badge, measures 53.53mm (w) x 58.05mm (h – inclusive of integral suspension ring), weighs 22.6 grams (inclusive of ribbon), worn on a triangular ribbon with a brass pin connected by thread, paint on the arms of the star is heavily chipped and worn, overall near very fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of Sultan Hussain of Kathiri was to be a Family or Household Order in five degrees with civil and military divisions. The badge was to consist of a five-pointed star bearing the state arms upon crossed sabres and surrounded by a crescent moon.