88 - SPINK & SON, A PAIR OF ENAMEL AND GOLD CUFFLINKS, PRESENTED BY PRINCE KHALED BIN SULTAN BIN ABDULAZIZ

SPINK & SON, A PAIR OF ENAMEL AND GOLD CUFFLINKS, PRESENTED BY PRINCE KHALED BIN SULTAN BIN ABDULAZIZ LONDON, 1998 Each designed in the style of the Order of Bahrain, an eight-pointed star with chased borders and enamel detailing, centred with a portrait and calligraphy. With chain links and solid oval backs. Accompanied by a compliments card of His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, inscribed ‘Best Wishes’, and a signed statement by the recipient recounting the presentation. Maker's mark 'S&SN' for Spink & Son Stamped 750 London hallmarks Accompanied by a fitted red Spink box displaying three royal warrants. Size/dimensions: each face 1.95cm x 1.95cm Gross weight: 18.16g The enamel is in perfect condition, with no loss. The gold has a developing warm patina and some micro-scratching from handling, but is otherwise barely worn, and the cufflinks are offered in excellent condition. Provenance Presented by His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz to the present owner, a former Corporal of the Royal Marines, in recognition of his service with the security team at His Royal Highness’s London residence, c.1998. These cufflinks were presented to the vendor, a former Corporal of the Royal Marines, who after serving his final year with the Royal Navy at Northwood moved into security work and served for some months with the residence security team of Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz in London. When he detected and detained an intruder in the grounds of the residence, His Royal Highness wished to show his gratitude, and the Prince’s aide presented him with the cufflinks in their Spink box, together with the Prince’s card. The recipient recalls being told that such gifts were usually reserved for more senior recipients. Spink & Son have long made orders, decorations and presentation pieces for royal and governmental clients. Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the eldest son of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s long-serving Minister of Defence, trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and commanded the Joint Forces during the 1991 Gulf War. After retiring from the military in 1991 he turned to business and publishing, including the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat. A gift from a Sandhurst-trained commander to a former Royal Marine is especially fitting.