Turkish Order of the Osmanieh, 4th Class

Place Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Palestine
Accession Number RELAWM17461
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Award
Physical description Enamel, Gold, Silk, Silver
Maker Unknown
Place made Ottoman Empire: Turkey
Date made Unknown
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Turkish Order of Osmanieh, 4th Class, in silver, gold, red and green enamel. The medal has a star and crescent suspender attached to a length of 35mm wide green silk ribbon with red side stripes. The ribbon bears a 29mm wide rosette covered with the same coloured silk.

History / Summary

This Turkish decoration was collected by an unknown Australian light horseman in Palestine between 1916 and 1918. First instituted in 1862 the Order of Osmanieh, awarded to both members of the Ottoman Empire and to foreigners who had assisted Turkish interests, was originally divided into four classes. A fifth class was added in 1893. This example is a civilian issue award. Members of the military who received the Order of Osmanieh from 1915 onwards were awarded it 'with swords'.