Mavi Boncuk |
The service ribbon for a specific medal is usually identical to the suspension ribbon on the medal.
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The distinction between decorations and orders is somewhat vague, except that most orders imply a membership into a group. In the case of most Ottoman orders, as with many European orders, that membership was limited in number. Decorations have no such limitations, and are awarded purely to recognize the merit or accomplishments of the recipient.
Ottoman decorations, like the campaign medals, often came in multiple classes. In theory, the higher classes represented additional recognition after earning the lower classes. Unlike the campaign medals, the higher classes were not restricted for officers and high ranking civilians, but in practice the awards of gold Liyakat, Imtiyaz and Sanayi medals was extremely limited. They would not have been conferred on anyone of lower status without that person simultaneously being given a higher station. The military medals - the Liyakat and Imtiyaz medals, were awarded in a specific order of precedence. The lowest was the silver Liyakat, followed by the silver Imtiyaz, then the gold Liyakat and gold Imtiyaz. The War Medal of 1915 ranked below the silver Liyakat.
Statute ribbons for all of the Ottoman decorations are well documented, but it is not uncommon to find examples where the ribbons have been replaced. There also appears to have been some substitution during World War I, with the Sanayi medal being awarded in place of the Liyakat. German medal bars have been seen with the Sanayi medal planchet suspended on a Liyakat ribbon, with the crossed sabers device of the Liyakat medal attached to the ribbon.
The service ribbon for a specific medal is usually identical to the suspension ribbon on the medal.
(click on image to view in full size)
The distinction between decorations and orders is somewhat vague, except that most orders imply a membership into a group. In the case of most Ottoman orders, as with many European orders, that membership was limited in number. Decorations have no such limitations, and are awarded purely to recognize the merit or accomplishments of the recipient.
Ottoman decorations, like the campaign medals, often came in multiple classes. In theory, the higher classes represented additional recognition after earning the lower classes. Unlike the campaign medals, the higher classes were not restricted for officers and high ranking civilians, but in practice the awards of gold Liyakat, Imtiyaz and Sanayi medals was extremely limited. They would not have been conferred on anyone of lower status without that person simultaneously being given a higher station. The military medals - the Liyakat and Imtiyaz medals, were awarded in a specific order of precedence. The lowest was the silver Liyakat, followed by the silver Imtiyaz, then the gold Liyakat and gold Imtiyaz. The War Medal of 1915 ranked below the silver Liyakat.
Statute ribbons for all of the Ottoman decorations are well documented, but it is not uncommon to find examples where the ribbons have been replaced. There also appears to have been some substitution during World War I, with the Sanayi medal being awarded in place of the Liyakat. German medal bars have been seen with the Sanayi medal planchet suspended on a Liyakat ribbon, with the crossed sabers device of the Liyakat medal attached to the ribbon.