Indochina Medals - Cambodia - CM04 Royal Order of Sahametrei

CM04	ROYAL ORDER OF SAHAMETREI
	Ordre Royal du Sahametrei (Meday Sahametrei) founded in three classes September 9, 1948, raised to five classes 1950
	For:	special friendship to the King and Cambodian people
	Design:	Obverse:	in the center a green enamel disk with a stylized petal design surmounted with a Royal goblet and sword lying on it, and surrounded with four sets of five equal cleft rays with a green wreath around underneath; suspension of a Royal crown, somewhat stylized;
		Reverse:	plain
	Ribbon:	35mm; blue 3mm, yellow 1mm, blue 3½mm, red 20mm, blue 3½mm, yellow 1mm, blue 3mm

This was generally awarded by the King, Prince Sihanouk, or President Lon Nol as a diplomatic act. It was thus liberally awarded to foreign diplomats and aid personnel, but could also be given to Cambodians, for instance, a motor dealer who gave three motorcycles to the government.

This order was reportedly manufactured by Arthus Bertrand in Paris, and examples, all appearing French made, are not uncommonly found.

Except for the sash and star, the Order of the Sowathara not infrequently appears on the market.

It has been revived in the same form by the current Kingdom, for instance, on May 1, 1999, being presented to Indonesian Foreign Minister Alli Allatas.

4/1	Grand Cross / Grand-Croix / (Moha Serivodho or Mohasereivadh)
	Design:	star – as above, but without green wreath underneath, and surrounded with four sets of four equal cleft rays, with between each set a shorter set of three rays, 86mm;
		sash badge – with metal in gold, as above 54mm across, with sash;
	Ribbon:	sash 101m; blue 11mm, yellow 3½mm, blue 10½mm, red 49½mm, blue 10½mm, yellow 3½mm, blue 11mm; service bar – with rosette and two gold wings

4/2	Grand Officer / Grand-Officier / (Vorsenea)
	Design:	star – as above, 86mm;
		breast badge – as above, 43mm across, with rosette on suspension ribbon
	Ribbon:	36mm; service bar - with rosette with one gold and one silver wing

Royal Order of Sahametrei Star
4/2 Star

4/2 Badge

4/2 Case Maker Mark
Royal Order of Sahametrei rosette

4/2 Buttonhole Rosette

4/3	Commander / Commandeur / (Thipden)
	Design:	badge – as above, in gold, 54mm across, suspended from a cravat
	Ribbon:	40mm; service bar - with rosette and silver wings

Royal Order of Sahametrei commander
4/3 Commander

4/3 in Case

4/3 Case Mark

4/4	Officer / Officier / (Senea)
	Design:	breast badge – as above, in gold, 43mm across, with rosette on suspension ribbon
	Ribbon:	36mm; service bar - with rosette

Royal Order of Sahametrei officer
4/4 Officier

4/5	Knight / Chevalier / (Assarutti)
	Design:	breast badge – as above, in silver, 43mm across, with suspension ribbon
	Ribbon:	36mm; service bar – without rosette