Necklet



A necklet is a type of decoration which is designed to be worn and displayed around a person's neck, rather than hung (draped) from the chest as is the standard practice for displaying most decorations.

In the Middle Ages most orders's insignias were worn on a collar – see livery collar. Later, in the 16th century the insignia of the French Order of the Holy Spirit were worn on a ribbon. When, in the late 17th century, orders were divided into several classes, the cross on a ribbon around the neck became the privilege of a commander. A decoration in that rank is usually awarded to high-ranking officials like brigadiers, consuls and secretaries of State.

A female usually wears her commander's cross on a bow on the shoulder of her dress.

In chivalric orders like the Order of Malta or the Teutonic Order the insignia of the knights is worn hanging from a ribbon around the neck. The same is true of the Order of the Golden Fleece.

In the 19th century it was not unusual to wear a Grand Cross, normally hanging from a ribbon over the shoulder to the hip as on a necklet when this was considered more convenient or when another Grand Cross was worn.

Select list of badges suspended from neck riband
Some nations confer honors which are signified in the form of a badge which is worn suspended from a ribbon (also known as riband or ribband) around the neck, including:


 * The Order of the British Empire or Royal Victorian Order (Britain), if at the rank of Commander.
 * The Order of Merit or Order of the Companions of Honour (Britain).
 * The Order of St John (International), if at the rank of Commander.
 * Legion of Honour (France).
 * Military William Order (Netherlands).
 * Order of the Netherlands Lion (Netherlands).
 * Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands).
 * Pour le Mérite (Prussia).
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Germany)
 * Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Germany)
 * Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (Hungary)
 * Royal Order of Sahametrei (Cambodia), if rank of Commander.
 * Order of Ontario (Canada)
 * Medal of Honor (United States).
 * Legion of Merit (United States), if at the rank of Commander. The Legion of Merit is awarded in degrees only to foreign nationals and its neck order is thus not available to U.S. citizens.
 * Presidential Medal of Freedom (United States)
 * Texas Medal of Valor (Texas)
 * Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Papal)