A collar, also known as collar of an order, is an ornate chain, often made of

gold Gold is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol Au (from Latin ) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a brightness, bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal ...

and enamel, and set with precious stones, which is worn about the neck as a symbol of membership in various chivalric orders. It is a particular form of the

livery collar A livery collar or chain of office is a collar (jewelry), collar or heavy Link chain, chain, usually of gold, worn as insignia of office or a mark of fealty or other association in Europe from the Middle Ages onwards. One of the oldest and best- ...

, the grandest form of the widespread phenomenon of

livery A livery is an identifying design, such as a uniform, ornament, symbol, or insignia that designates ownership or affiliation, often found on an individual or vehicle. Livery often includes elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or ...

in the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...

and

Early Modern Period The early modern period is a Periodization, historical period that is defined either as part of or as immediately preceding the modern period, with divisions based primarily on the history of Europe and the broader concept of modernity. There i ...

. Orders which have several grades often reserve the collar for the highest grade (usually called the

Grand Cross Grand Cross is the highest class in many orders, and manifested in its insignia. Exceptionally, the highest class may be referred to as Grand Cordon or equivalent. In other cases, there may exist a rank even higher than Grand Cross, e.g. Gran ...

). The links of the chain are usually composed of symbols of the order, and the

badge A badge is a device or accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath (e.g., police and fir ...

(also called "decoration", "cross" or "jewel") of the order normally hangs down in front. Sometimes the badge is referred to by what is depicted on it; for instance, the badge that hangs from the chain of the

Order of the Garter The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348. The most senior order of knighthood in the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British honours system, it is outranked in ...

is referred to as "the George".

History

A medieval tradition: the Order of the Collar (14th century)

The first of the Orders of Knighthood were the military orders of

crusaders The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and at times directed by the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The most prominent of these were the campaigns to the Holy Land aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and its surrounding ...

who used red, green or black crosses of velvet on their mantles, to distinguish their brotherhoods. Later the members of knightly orders used rings, embroidered dragons and even garters as the symbol of their order. In the late

the knights wore their insignia ever more prominently and medaillons, crosses and jewels in the shape of animals began to be worn on chains around the neck, known as livery collars. In the fourteenth century, Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy (1343–1383) instituted the Order of the Collar.''Syr Gawayn and the Grene Knyzt-(Concluded)'', J. R. Hulbert, Modern Philology, Vol. 13, No. 12 (Apr., 1916), 140. The order was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary The primary and oldest insignia of the order is its collar. It consists of a solid gold medallion of the collar, which portrays the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel. The medallion is surrounded by three intertwined Savoyan knots, decorated with small crosses fleury, and in the upper center, between two of the Savoyan knots, a cluster of rays with a dove, representing the

Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit, otherwise known as the Holy Ghost, is a concept within the Abrahamic religions. In Judaism, the Holy Spirit is understood as the divine quality or force of God manifesting in the world, particularly in acts of prophecy, creati ...

, is depicted also in gold. Animated by a similar Marian devotion, the fashion of these collars spread at the same time as the fashion of wearing rosaries as necklaces spread across Europe reaching England in the fifteenth century.

The Collar of the Golden Fleece (15th tradition)

Collars of various devices are worn by the knights of some of the European orders of knighthood. The custom was begun by

Philip III, Duke of Burgundy Philip III the Good (; ; 31 July 1396 – 15 June 1467) ruled as Duke of Burgundy from 1419 until his death in 1467. He was a member of a cadet line of the Valois dynasty, to which all 15th-century kings of France belonged. During his reig ...

, who gave his Knights of the Golden Fleece badges depicting a golden fleece: it was composed of "gold filigree plaques, simulated black and white enamel firestones, and golden fleece pendant".

A French connection: the collar of Saint Michael created in 1469

Following this new fashion,

Louis XI of France Louis XI (3 July 1423 – 30 August 1483), called "Louis the Prudent" (), was King of France from 1461 to 1483. He succeeded his father, Charles VII. Louis entered into open rebellion against his father in a short-lived revolt known as the ...

, when instituting his Order of St. Michael in 1469, gave the knights collars composed of scallop shells linked on a chain, most famously honouring Raoul de Lannoy after the siege of Quesnoy. The chain was doubled by Charles VIII. The first official portrait of a

King of France France was ruled by monarchs from the establishment of the kingdom of West Francia in 843 until the end of the Second French Empire in 1870, with several interruptions. Classical French historiography usually regards Clovis I, king of the Fra ...

wearing the collar of the order was that of King

Louis XII Louis XII (27 June 14621 January 1515), also known as Louis of Orléans was King of France from 1498 to 1515 and King of Naples (as Louis III) from 1501 to 1504. The son of Charles, Duke of Orléans, and Marie of Cleves, he succeeded his second ...

in 1514 and since then, all other Kings have followed that tradition until the order lapsed in 1830; the Order of Liberation claimed to be its continuation in 1945 and it had its own grand collar made by master goldsmith Gilbert Poillerat, which President

Charles de Gaulle Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle (22 November 18909 November 1970) was a French general and statesman who led the Free France, Free French Forces against Nazi Germany in World War II and chaired the Provisional Government of the French Re ...

wore on his official portrait, preferring its

Cross of Lorraine The Cross of Lorraine (), known as the Cross of Anjou in the 16th century, is a heraldry, heraldic two-barred cross, consisting of a vertical line crossed by two shorter horizontal bars. In most renditions, the horizontal bars are "graded" with ...

to the symbols attached to the ''Grand Collier'' of the Legion of Honour. While the order of Saint Michael was exclusively male, Queen

Anne of Austria Anne of Austria (; ; born Ana María Mauricia; 22 September 1601 – 20 January 1666) was Queen of France from 1615 to 1643 by marriage to King Louis XIII. She was also Queen of Navarre until the kingdom's annexation into the French crown ...

with the help of her chaplain French Dominican friar François Arnoul established the Order of the Celestial Collar of the Sacred Rosary in 1647, proving once again the connection between the collar and the rosary as an instrument of devotion. The statues of the new order were associated to instructions for fifty devout maidens and all virtuous souls, in order to renew Marian devotion and encourage the holiness of women active in the

Catholic Church in France The Catholic Church in France, Gallican Church, or French Catholic Church, is part of the worldwide Catholic Church in communion with the Pope in Rome. Established in the 2nd century in unbroken communion with the bishop of Rome, it was sometim ...

A tradition spreading to England: Henry VIII and the collar of the Garter (16th century)

After Hans Holbein the Younger - Portrait of Henry VIII - Google Art Project

Until the reign of

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...

, the

, like most ancient of the great knightly orders, had no collar. But the Tudor king wished to match the continental sovereigns in all things as described in the statues signed on January 5, 1508, by the Register of the Order, and sent to the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian. The present collar of the Garter knights, with its golden knots and its buckled garters enclosing white roses set on red roses, has its origin in the Tudor age. In 1672, British antiquary Elias Ashmole, described a change from the original collar worn prescribed by King Henry VIII for the collar of the Order of the Garter said to be "a gold collar, coupled together by several pieces of links in fashion of garters, with a vermillion rose, and the image of

Saint George Saint George (;Geʽez: ጊዮርጊስ, , ka, გიორგი, , , died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was an early Christian martyr who is venerated as a saint in Christianity. According to holy tradition, he was a soldier in the ...

hung thereat". Most of the British orders of knighthood now have collars and they are still worn on special occasions, known as

collar day Collar days are designated days on which the collar forming part of the insignia of certain members of British orders of knighthood may be worn. Collars are special large and elaborate ceremonial metal chains worn over the shoulders, hanging ...

s. The

Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a Military awards and decorations, military award of the United Kingdom, as well as formerly throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth, awarded for operational gallantry for highly successful ...

, the

Order of Merit The Order of Merit () is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by Edward VII, admission into the order r ...

, the

Order of the Companions of Honour The Order of the Companions of Honour is an Order (distinction), order of the Commonwealth realms. It was founded on 4 June 1917 by King George V as a reward for outstanding achievements. It was founded on the same date as the Order of the Brit ...

and the Imperial Service Order are the exceptions.

Heyday of Grand collars in the 18th century

After the 17th century the heyday of the collar was over. They were worn only on ceremonial occasions and replaced in daily life by stars pinned to the breast, and badges suspended from ribbons. Many orders retained their collars and when orders were divided into several ranks or grades the collar was usually reserved for the highest rank. The notable exception is

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

. At the end of the 18th century, most of the European orders had only one rank, that of knight, and although they usually had collars, the cross or badge was now worn on a ribbon around the neck or over the right shoulder. When the orders became more democratic, several ranks were introduced and only the highest grade, the "Grand Commanders" or "Grand Crosses", wore collars. The

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

never had collars, but several Belgian, most of the

Austria Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine Federal states of Austria, states, of which the capital Vienna is the List of largest cities in Aust ...

n and

Prussia Prussia (; ; Old Prussian: ''Prūsija'') was a Germans, German state centred on the North European Plain that originated from the 1525 secularization of the Prussia (region), Prussian part of the State of the Teutonic Order. For centuries, ...

n orders, and several Portuguese orders had collars. In Portugal all the members of these orders of knighthood wear a collar, but the collars of the Grand Cross are more elaborate.

The ''Grand Collier de la Légion d'Honneur''

Since the beginning of the 19th century, the collar has been used as the insignia of office of the Grand Master of the order.

Napoleon I Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...

introduced the ''Grand aigle'' (Grand Eagle) to replace the Grand Cross as the highest rank in his

Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour ( ), formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (), is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and Civil society, civil. Currently consisting of five cl ...

. Napoleon dispensed 15 such golden collars of the Legion among his kinsmen and the highest of his ministers. This collar did not survive his downfall and was abolished in 1815. He also introduced the ''Grand Collier de la Légion d'Honneur'' which was the first Grand Collar worn outside of a religious order. The

president of France The president of France, officially the president of the French Republic (), is the executive head of state of France, and the commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces. As the presidency is the supreme magistracy of the country, the po ...

wears the collar of the Order of the

. Nowadays, the collar is often a rank above that of a Grand Cross and it is reserved for the president and foreign heads of state as it is in

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

Heraldry

heraldry Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armory), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, Imperial, royal and noble ranks, rank and genealo ...

, most members of orders are permitted to display the collar of their order on their

coat of arms A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...

(if they are in fact entitled to wear the collar). There are often very strict rules as to how exactly the collar is to be displayed. Normally it will entirely encircle the escutcheon (shield), or the collar may be partially hidden by it. Sometimes, only a part of the collar and the badge will extend below the escutcheon. Collars of different orders are often depicted in the heraldic achievement of various monarchs, encircling the escutcheon. Though the standard achievement used most often may depict specific collars, this does not preclude the use of or substitution with other collars to which someone may be entitled to. Some achievements depict multiple collars while others depict only one; The coat of arms of the Norwegian monarch only depicts the collar of the Order of St. Olav encircling the shield while that of Denmark's depicts the collars of the nation's two chivalric orders: the

Order of the Elephant The Order of the Elephant () is a Denmark, Danish order of chivalry and is Denmark's highest-ranked honour. It has origins in the 15th century, but has officially existed since 1693, and since the establishment of constitutional monarchy in ...

and the Order of Dannebrog. In the greater arms of Sweden, the collar of the Order of Seraphim is used. The collar of the Order of Leopold is also depicted in the national arms of Belgium.

Death of a recipient

When a member of an order dies, they are not usually buried with the collar, but it may be displayed on a pillow placed on the coffin (along with other decorations that the member may have) during the funeral. Many orders require that after the death of a member of the order, the collar and perhaps other insignia be returned to the issuing authority. Often, the requirement is that a male relative personally return the award to the order.

Orders with collar as a separate (highest) rank

Many orders also do have a chain as an ornament that is worn at more official ceremonial occasions (worn by knights of a single class order or members of the highest class of a multi-class order). However, in some orders Collar is a separate rank above that of Grand Cross, i.e.:

Europe

* : Collar of the Order of Charlemagne * : **

House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha The House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha ( ; ) is a European royal house of German origin. It takes its name from its oldest domain, the Ernestine duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and its members later sat on the thrones of Belgium, Bulgaria, Portugal ...

: Grand and Lesser Chain of the Order of St. Alexander * : First Class with Collar of the Order of the White Lion ('' Recipients'') * : Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III * : Collar of the Order of the National Coat of Arms * : Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana ('' Recipients'') * : Collar of the Order of the White Star * : Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose * : ** House of Bagrationi: Knight of the Grand Collar of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia * : **

House of Wittelsbach The House of Wittelsbach () is a former Bavarian dynasty, with branches that have ruled over territories including the Electorate of Bavaria, the Electoral Palatinate, the Electorate of Cologne, County of Holland, Holland, County of Zeeland, ...

: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Saint Hubert **

House of Hanover The House of Hanover ( ) is a European royal house with roots tracing back to the 17th century. Its members, known as Hanoverians, ruled Hanover, Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Empire at various times during the 17th to 20th centurie ...

: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Henry the Lion * : **

House of Glücksburg The House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, also known by its short name as the House of Glücksburg, is the senior surviving branch of the German House of Oldenburg, one of Europe's oldest royal houses. Oldenburg house members hav ...

: Collar of the Order of Saints George and Constantine * : Knight/Dame of the Collar of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem * : Knight with the Collar of the Order of Pius IX * : Hungarian Corvin Chain * : Grand Cross with Chain of the

Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary The Hungarian Order of Merit () is the fourth highest Order (honour), State Order of Hungary. Founded in 1991, the order is a revival of an original order founded in 1946 and abolished in 1949. Its origins, however, can be traced to the Order of ...

, Civilian Class ('' Recipients'') * : Collar with Grand Cross Breast Star of the Order of the Falcon * * : Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the

Order of Merit of the Italian Republic The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic () is the most senior Italian order of merit. It was established in 1951 by the second President of Italy, President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi. The highest-ranking honour of the Republi ...

('' Recipients'') **

House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies The House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies is a cadet branch of the House of Bourbon that ruled Southern Italy and Sicily for more than a century in the 18th and 19th centuries. It descends from the Capetian dynasty in legitimate male line through Phili ...

/ House of Bourbon-Parma: Bailiff Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George ** : Collar of the Order pro Merito Melitensi * : Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of Three Stars * : Golden Chain of the Order of Vytautas the Great ('' Recipients'') * : Honorary Companion of Honour with Collar of the National Order of Merit * : Grand Cross with Collar of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav * : Grand Collar of the Order of the Tower and Sword * : Grand Collar of the

Military Order of Christ The Military Order of Christ is a Honorific orders of Portugal, Portuguese honorific order. It is the former order of Knights Templar as it was reconstituted in Portugal. Before 1910, it was known as the Royal Military Order of Our Lord Jesus Chr ...

* : Grand Collar of the Military Order of Aviz * : Grand Collar of the Order of Saint James of the Sword ('' Recipients'') * : Grand Collar of the

Order of Prince Henry The Order of Prince Henry () is a Portuguese order of knighthood created on 2 June 1960, to commemorate the quincentenary of the death of the Portuguese ''infante'' Prince Henry the Navigator, one of the main initiators of the Age of Discovery. M ...

('' Recipients'') * : Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty ('' Recipients'') * : Grand Collar of the Order of Camões **

House of Braganza The Most Serene House of Braganza (), also known as the Brigantine dynasty (''dinastia Brigantina''), is a dynasty of emperors, kings, princes, and dukes of Portuguese people, Portuguese origin which reigned in Europe and the Americas. The hous ...

: Grand Collar of the Order of Saint Michael of the Wing **

: Grand Collar of the Order of Merit of the Portuguese Royal House * : Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania **

House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen () was a principality in southwestern Germany. Its rulers belonged to the junior House of Hohenzollern#Swabian branch, Swabian branch of the House of Hohenzollern. The Swabian Hohenzollerns were elevated to princes in 162 ...

: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Carol I * : Collar of the Order of San Marino * : Collar of the Order of the Republic of Serbia **

House of Karađorđević The House of Karađorđević or Karađorđević dynasty ( sr-Cyrl-Latn, Династија Карађорђевић, Dinastija Karađorđević, ; sr-Cyrl-Latn, Карађорђевићи, Karađorđevići, label=none) was the former ruling Kin ...

: Knight Grand Collar of the Order of St. Prince Lazar * : Knight/Dame of the Collar of the Order of Charles III * : Knight/Dame of the Collar of the Order of Civil Merit ('' Recipients'') * : Knight/Dame of the Collar of the

Order of Isabella the Catholic The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic (; Abbreviation, Abbr.: OYC) is a knighthood and one of the three preeminent Order of merit, orders of merit bestowed by the Kingdom of Spain, alongside the Order of Charles III (established in 1771) and ...

('' Recipients'') * : Knight/Dame of the Collar of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise ('' Recipients'') * : Recipient of the Royal Victorian Chain

America

* : Knight/Dame Grand Collar of the Order of the Nation * : Collar of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín ('' Recipients'') Elizabeth II Southern Cross

* : Grand Collar of the Order of the Condor of the Andes * : Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross * : Grand Collar of the ** : Grand Collar of the * : Collar of the Order of the Merit of Chile * : Collar of the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins * : Grand Collar of the Order of Boyacá * : Grand Collar of the Order of San Carlos * : Collar of the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella * : Collar of the Order of Christopher Columbus * : Grand Collar of the National Order of San Lorenzo * : Grand Collar of the National Order of Merit * : Knight/Dame Grand Collar of the Order of Grenada * : Collar of the Order of the Quetzal * : Collar of the Order of Antonio José de Irisarri * : Grand Collar of the * : Collar of the Order of the Aztec Eagle * : Collar of the * : Collar of the Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero * : Collar of the National Order of Merit * : Grand Collar of the

Order of the Sun of Peru The Order of the Sun of Peru (Spanish: ''Orden El Sol del Perú''), formerly known as the Order of the Sun, is the highest award bestowed by the nation of Peru to commend notable civil and military merit. The award is the oldest civilian award in ...

* : Collar of the Order of the Liberator

Africa

* : Collar of the

Order of the Nile The Order of the Nile (''Kiladat El Nil'') was established in 1915 and was one of the Kingdom of Egypt's principal orders until the monarchy was abolished in 1953. It was then reconstituted as the Republic of Egypt's highest state honor. Sulta ...

* : Collar of the Order of the Republic * : ** House of Solomon: Collar of the Order of the Seal of Solomon ** House of Solomon: Collar of the Order of the Queen of Sheba ** House of Solomon: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Holy Trinity * : Collar of the National Order of the Ivory Coast * : ** House of Senussi: Grand Collar of the Order of Idris I * : ** House of Ndahindurwa: Knight Grand Collar of the Royal Order of the Drum * : Collar of Honour

Asia

Middle East

* : Collar of the * : Collar of the Order of al-Hussein bin Ali * : Collar of the Order of Mubarak the Great * : Collar of the Order of Al Said * : Grand Collar of the State of Palestine * : * : Collar of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud * : Collar of the Order of Zayed

Central Asia

* : Collar of the Order of the Golden Eagle * : Collar of the Watan Order * : Collar of the Order of Saparmyrat Türkmenbaşy the Great

South East & North Asia

* : Friendship Medal ** : Collar of the Grand Order of the Orchid Blossom * : Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste * : Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum * : ** Lao royal family: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol * : Collar of the Order of Genghis Khan * : Grand Collar (''Maringal na Kuwintas'') of the Order of the Golden Heart ('' Recipients'') * : Grand Collar (''Supremo'') of the Order of Lakandula ('' Recipients'') * : Grand Collar (''Raja'') of the Order of Sikatuna * : Collar of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa

Oceania

* : Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Royal Order of Pouono * : Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Crown of Tonga * : Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III ''* indicates that the insignia must be returned upon the death of the recipient''
''† indicates that the order is now dormant but has not been formally abolished''

Gallery

File:Keten van de Leopoldsorde Oostenrijk.jpg, Collar of the Order of Leopold
(

) File:Keten van de Orde van de IJzeren Kroon Oostenrijk.jpg, Collar of the Order of the Iron Crown
(

Austrian Empire The Austrian Empire, officially known as the Empire of Austria, was a Multinational state, multinational European Great Powers, great power from 1804 to 1867, created by proclamation out of the Habsburg monarchy, realms of the Habsburgs. Duri ...

) File:Chain of order of southern cross.jpg, Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross (

) File:Star of India Insignia.JPG, Star and Collar of a Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India
(

British Raj The British Raj ( ; from Hindustani language, Hindustani , 'reign', 'rule' or 'government') was the colonial rule of the British The Crown, Crown on the Indian subcontinent, * * lasting from 1858 to 1947. * * It is also called Crown rule ...

) File:Орден Дружбы КНР.jpg, Collar of the Friendship Medal
(

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

) File:Royal Arms of King Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway.svg,

Coat of arms A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...

Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway Frederick may refer to: People * Frederick (given name), the name Given name Nobility = Anhalt-Harzgerode = * Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode (1613–1670) = Austria = * Frederick I, Duke of Austria (Babenberg), Duke of Austria fro ...

surrounded by the collars of the

Order of the Dannebrog The Order of the Dannebrog () is a Denmark, Danish order of chivalry instituted in 1671 by Christian V of Denmark, Christian V. Until 1808, membership in the Order was limited to fifty members of noble or royal rank, who formed a single cla ...

and the

File:Keten Olifant.jpg, Collar of the

(

Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...

) File:Keten van de Orde van Sint Michael 1660.jpg, Collar of the Order of St. Michael
(

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

) File:Keten van de Orde van Sint Stephanus.jpg, Collar of the Order of St. Stephen
(

Hungary Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning much of the Pannonian Basin, Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and ...

) File:Insignia of Knight of St Patrick.jpg, Collar of a Knight of the Order of St. Patrick
(

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

) File:Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.png, Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
(

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

) File:Orden Kneza Lazara.jpg, Collar of the Order of St. Prince Lazar
(

Kingdom of Serbia The Kingdom of Serbia was a country located in the Balkans which was created when the ruler of the Principality of Serbia, Milan I of Serbia, Milan I, was proclaimed king in 1882. Since 1817, the Principality was ruled by the Obrenović dynast ...

Kingdom of Yugoslavia The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a country in Southeast Europe, Southeast and Central Europe that existed from 1918 until 1941. From 1918 to 1929, it was officially called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, but the term "Yugoslavia" () h ...

and Royal House of Serbia) File:Collar of the Supreme Order of the Orchidaceae.JPG, Collar of the Grand Order of the Orchid Blossom
(

Manchukuo Manchukuo, officially known as the State of Manchuria prior to 1934 and the Empire of Great Manchuria thereafter, was a puppet state of the Empire of Japan in Northeast China that existed from 1932 until its dissolution in 1945. It was ostens ...

) File:Keten van de Orde van Sint-Januarius.jpg, Collar of the Order of St. Januarius—line drawing
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Naples Naples ( ; ; ) is the Regions of Italy, regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 908,082 within the city's administrative limits as of 2025, while its Metropolitan City of N ...

) File:Keten van de Orde van Sint Olaf 1893.jpg, Keten van de Noorse Order of St. Olaf
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Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of the Kingdom of ...

) File:Order of the ThistleInsignia.JPG, Star and Collar of the

Order of the Thistle The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland, who asserted that he was reviving an earlier order. The ...

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Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

) File:Collar de la Orden de Carlos III.svg, Collar of the Order of Carlos III
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Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

) File:Chain of order of Isabella the catholic.jpg, Collar of the

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) File:Collar of the Spanish Order of the Civil Merit.svg, Collar of the Order of Civil Merit
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) File:Golden Fleece Collar (Knight).svg, Collar of the

Order of the Golden Fleece The Distinguished Order of the Golden Fleece (, ) is a Catholic order of chivalry founded in 1430 in Brugge by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, to celebrate his marriage to Isabella of Portugal, Duchess of Burgundy, Isabella of Portugal. T ...

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) File:Kedja_med_kors_-_Livrustkammaren_-_86647.tif, Collar of the

Order of the Seraphim The Royal Order of the Seraphim (; ''Seraphim'' being a category of angels) is the highest order of chivalry of the Kingdom of Sweden. It was created by Frederick I of Sweden, King Frederick I on 23 February 1748, together with the Order of the ...

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Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...

) File:Collier de l'Ordre de l'Epee.svg, Collar of the Order of the Sword
(Sweden) File:Collier Ordre de l'étoile Polaire.svg, Collar of the Order of the Polar Star
(Sweden) File:Order of Vasa grand cross collar badge (Sweden) - Tallinn Museum of Orders.jpg, Collar of the Order of Vasa
(Sweden) File:Keten van de Orde van Sint-Joseph Toscane.jpg, Collar the Order of Saint Joseph
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Tuscany Tuscany ( ; ) is a Regions of Italy, region in central Italy with an area of about and a population of 3,660,834 inhabitants as of 2025. The capital city is Florence. Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history, artistic legacy, and its in ...

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Würzburg Würzburg (; Main-Franconian: ) is, after Nuremberg and Fürth, the Franconia#Towns and cities, third-largest city in Franconia located in the north of Bavaria. Würzburg is the administrative seat of the Regierungsbezirk Lower Franconia. It sp ...

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United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

) File:StMichaelandStGeorgeInsignia.jpg, The Star and Collar of a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (

) File:Insignia of Civil GCB.jpg, Star and Collar of a Knight Grand Cross of the civil division of the

Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by King George I of Great Britain, George I on 18 May 1725. Recipients of the Order are usually senior British Armed Forces, military officers or senior Civil Service ...

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Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the 15th century. Originally a phrase (the common-wealth ...

) File:Insignia of Military GCB.jpg, Star and Collar of a Knight Grand Cross of the military division of the Order of the Bath File:Keten van de Sylvesterorde en de Militia Aurata van voor 1905.jpg, Collar of the Order of Saint Sylvester and the Golden Militia
(Vatican)
Line drawings from Maximilian Gritzner, 1893. File:Collar of the Supreme Order of Christ.svg, Collar of the Supreme Order of Christ
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Vatican Vatican may refer to: Geography * Vatican City, an independent city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy * Vatican Hill, in Rome, namesake of Vatican City * Ager Vaticanus, an alluvial plain in Rome * Vatican, an unincorporated community in the ...

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History

A medieval tradition: the Order of the Collar (14th century)

The Collar of the Golden Fleece (15th tradition)

A French connection: the collar of Saint Michael created in 1469

A tradition spreading to England: Henry VIII and the collar of the Garter (16th century)

Heyday of Grand collars in the 18th century

The ''Grand Collier de la Légion d'Honneur''

Heraldry

Death of a recipient

Orders with collar as a separate (highest) rank

Europe

America

Africa

Asia

Middle East

Central Asia

South East & North Asia

Oceania

Gallery

References

See also