TOPIC:

Can anyone help me identify this medal please?

Hii

It looks very similar to an Order of the Star of Ethiopia, ribbon colour the same, most design elements the same ?

Regards
Adrian

A quick check in the London Gazette records that authority for 10 Officers of the late mission to Abyssinia were granted authority to accept and wear the Insignia conferred on them by the Emperor in 1897. A few further approvals were granted in 1902 and 1911.

Thank you both.

It some ways it is very similar to the Order of the Star. It is certainly African but those colours are very common. This officer also received the East and Central Africa Medal with clasp Uganda 1897-98.

A reverse picture search did not identify any accurate matches.

Best wishes
David

The colours of the ribbon and the shape of the crown on suspension resemble medals of Ethiopia, of which I have had In my collection previously.

This is what Owain Raw-Rees says. He’s the world's expert on Ethiopian (and Arab) medals.

“ This is a miniature of the Ethiopian Order of the Star. It is a nice looking piece with a blue stone - quite probably glass... Most, if not all, of these artisan pieces (full size), come from Addis Ababa. I have a similar miniature but am not sure if it was made in Addis Ababa or was made in UK in the style of a local piece…The designs of these local pieces all slightly vary”

Here's a photo of a miniature group with a QSA and a variation of the Ethiopian Order of the Star.


Hope this helps!
John