Description
Order of St Michael and St George and collar¦The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, G.C.M.G., Knight Grand Cross set of insignia, attributed to Sir Frank Swettenham, GCMG, CH (1850-1946), Colonial Administrator, comprising silver-gilt collar chain formed of 26 alternating links of crowned lions of England, Maltese crosses in white enamel, cyphers 'SM' and 'SG', and two pairs of winged lions each bearing a book and seven arrows, one pair surmounted by Royal crown and swivel-ring suspension, sash badge, 85mm x 125mm, silver-gilt, gold and enamels, some enamel chips to both centres; and breast star, 85mm, silver, silver-gilt, gold and enamels, complete with full dress sash, collar chain contained in its original shaped and fitted case of issue, by Garrard & Co., breast star and badge in separate Garrard & Co. fitted case. An excellent set, extremely fine. ¦£3000-4000¦Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham, Colonial Administrator; created KCMG in 1897 and Knight Grand Cross [GCMG] in 1909, from whence this insignia dates. Deputy Commissioner with the Perak Expedition [1875-76], British Resident, Selangor [1882], British Resident, Perak [1889-95], Resident General, Federated Malay States [1896-1901], Governor and Commader-in-Chief, Straits Settlements [1901-04], Chairman, Royal Commission into the state of affairs in Mauritius [1909], and King of Arms, Order of St. Michael and St. George, 1925-1938 (a ticket for the Order's annual Service on St. George's Day, 1938, is found in the case. ¦Swettenhamwas the author of several works on Malaya, including a Dictionary. His portrait (1904), by John Singer Sargent, is on display at the National Portrait Gallery whilst his statue can be seen within the compound of Muzium Negara at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Further biographical details are sold with the lot.