Insignia & Medals

Orders, decorations and awards, made to last.

Made to an existing pattern or created for a new honour, each piece is made in London by hand.

Reserve a private appointment
On honours

An honour is meant to endure. Its insignia may be worn for a moment, but it is kept for generations. It is looked at long after the occasion for which it was made. We make orders, decorations and awards for the Crown, for Heads of State, for institutions, and for those establishing honours of their own.

Each is made to withstand time.

Signature Commission

The Royal Victorian Order

The Royal Victorian Order

Insignia awarded by the Sovereign for distinguished personal service to the Sovereign.

Made to its historic pattern in gold, silver and enamel, entirely by hand.

Commission insignia
Awarded by
The Sovereign
Materials
Gold, silver & enamel
Finish
Entirely by hand
Selected work

A collection of our work.

Orders, decorations and insignia made for sovereigns, institutions, offices and private commissions.

Each begins with its purpose, its history and the standard it must meet.

I
Orders & Decorations

Orders & Decorations

Insignia for the great orders of chivalry and national honours, made in gold, silver and vitreous enamel.

Conferred by
Sovereign or Head of State

Materials
Gold, silver & enamel
II
Stars & Badges

Stars & Badges

Breast stars and badges, individually made, set and finished by hand.

Worn
On the left breast

Finish
Hand-set, hand-polished
III
Appointment Insignia

Appointment Insignia

Lieutenancy, Messenger and badges of office, made in the Crown's name.

Held by
The office holder, for the term of office

Marked with
Cypher or crest

Existing patterns can be followed precisely.

Or a new insignia can begin with nothing more than an idea.

Enquire about insignia
Stories

The stories behind the insignia.

Every piece has a reason for being made.

Some carry centuries of history. Others mark an honour that has only just been created.

Our Stories →
2007

The Garter Star

For the thousandth Knight Companion

Cleave was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II to produce a new Garter Star for Prince William, who entered the Order’s register as its thousandth Knight Companion.

 2023

The King’s and Queen’s Messenger badges

A badge with a long history

The badge carried by a King’s Messenger traces its history to Charles II in exile. In 2023, we translated the change from Queen’s Messengers to King’s Messengers into a new insignia.

 2024

An order founded in 2024

Creating insignia for a new honour

The Rolls-Royce & Bentley Club Switzerland established its own order and commissioned insignia with the authority and presence of the state pieces that had inspired it.
The Commission

From a first conversation to an object kept for generations.

I

Private consultation

We meet at 1 Buckingham Place, or wherever is most appropriate, to understand the idea, its purpose and what the finished piece must convey.

II

The design

Your piece is drawn as a one-of-one before any metal is cut.

The design is refined with you until every detail is right.

III

Crafted by hand

Made in our UK workshops by the same hands that serve the Crown.

Gold, silver, enamel and precious stones are worked, set and finished by hand.

IV

Presented to you

Collected in London, or delivered discreetly anywhere in the world.

One piece, made once.

Begin a commission

Commission an insignia of your own.

Whether continuing an established tradition or creating a new one, we begin with a conversation.

Reserve a private appointment