Order of the Colonial Empire

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The Order of the Colonial Empire (Portuguese:"Ordem do Império Colonial") was a Portuguese Order (decoration), established on 13 April 1932 as a colonial order of knighthood, to reward services by soldiers and civilians in the Portuguese colonies in Asia and Africa.

Order of the Colonial Empire
Ordem do Império Colonial
Grand Cross insignia of the Order of the Colonial Empire
Awarded by Portuguese Republic
TypeColonial order of knighthood
Established1932
EligibilityPortuguese citizens; military or civilian
Awarded forService in the Portuguese colonies in Asia and Africa
StatusExtinct
GradesGrand Collar
Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight

Ribbon bar of the Order

The Order consisted of five grades:

  • Grand Cross, which wore the badge on a sash on the right shoulder and the star on the left chest;
  • Grand Officer, which wore the badge on a necklet and the star on the left chest;
  • Commander, which wore the badge on a necklet and the star on the left chest;
  • Officer, which wore the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest;
  • Knight, which wore the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

The Commander grade was dropped sometime during the 1960s [when?], and the Order was discontinued upon the Carnation Revolution in 1974. [citation needed]

Ribbon bars of the Order of the Colonial Empire

Grand Cross

Grand Officer

Commander

Officer

Knight

Insignia

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The badge of the Order was an enamel Order of Christ Cross, in silver for Knight and in gilt for higher grades, with the lesser Coat of arms of Portugal in enamel and gilt at the centre.

The star of the Order was an eight-pointed faceted star, in gilt for Grand Cross and Grand Officer, in silver for Commander, with the badge of the Order at the centre.

The ribbon of the Order was red with black central and edge stripes.

Notable Recipients

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Grand Crosses:

References

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  1. ^ "The President of Portugal has awarded.". Official Appointments and Notices. The Times. No. 48373. London. 2 August 1939. col A, p. 20.