VOCABULARY TERM: CHAIN

This modern chain is a stock item which can be ordered by anyone. Modern chains are derived from a long heritage of chain awards, a form of decorations originally a civil order awarded by royalty to modern fraternal organizations and academic use. Chains are a class above neck ribbons with a pendant medal.

Chain. A series of elaborately designed links forming a circle to go around the neck and from which is suspended a pendant, medal or badge; a collar. Chains are part of a decoration or order, often in precious metal, and are designed similar to the pendant, medal, breast star and other jewelry of the order. As in all these jewelry items they are designed with strong heraldry elements and often created in classes; higher classes would have the chain in larger size, more elaborate design and in more precious metal. Chains are an integral part of DECORATIONS and ORDERS and are intended to be used in formal attire on state occasions and ceremonies. See COLLAR (1).

In the twentieth century chains have been adopted by academic organizations as a badge of office.

Also a chain (in the usual definition) used as part of suspension system for parts of a medal to be worn or for suspending other accouterments. There are many kinds of chains, the most common being loop-in-loop. See SUSPENSION.
CLASS 10.6

Wayne Homren, Editor

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