drclaw

Thanks for that Glenn. It's one of my favourite images of Double Dragon recipients but until now didn't have a name or a story to go with the picture.

Cheers

What a beauty! The workmanship is simply breathtaking.

I dread to think what this sold for at auction ... especially if it was intimated that the craftsman was associated with Faberge.

Thanks, Gavin

His name was Andreas August Kinch.

He retired from the Navy due to age in 1903 (he was born in 1861). From 1903 to 1908 naval advisor in Chihli, China and recalled for duty in Naval Intelligence in 1914.

Finally retired as a captain in 1918.

Thanks for all the great info

/Michael

The Viceroy of Zhili then was Yuan Shikai who would of course become President of the Republic of China. Yuan clearly had a fondness for Nordics.

Norwegian Johann Munthe was Yuan's close friend and served as his adjutant during Yuan's stint as Viceroy of Zhili, rising to the rank of Major-General.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/57887-general-munthe-adventurer-art-collector-chinese-medal-designer/

In January 1909, Yuan was dismissed and forced to return to his estate by the Regent Prince Chun. Prince Chun never forgave Yuan for betraying the Guangxu Emperor (Prince Chun's brother) during the Hundred Days Reforms by supporting the Empress Dowager's coup.

With the fall of his patron, General Muthe returned to the Imperial Chinese Customs Service and I see here that Captain Kinch's role as naval adviser also ended in 1908.

When Yuan Shikai became President in 1912, he promoted his friend General Munthe to general aide-de-camp and adviser in the Ministry of War with the rank of Lieutenant General, believed to be the highest rank ever held by a foreigner in the Chinese Army. Two years later in 1914, he recalled Captain Kinch as well to Naval Intelligence.

Michael - do you know if Captain Kinch received any of the Republic's new Orders?

Further discussion on this thread.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/58416-double-dragon-for-marine-generalarzt-dr-oskar-nenninger/

Here's another example owned by Emmanuel.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/45143-unknown-imperial-era-chinese-order-or-medal/

The ribbon is dark blue moire silk, same as the two examples above. The Chinese characters read "Gong Pai" or "Merit Badge"

Note Paul's comments: "several varieties exist, probably manufactured after 1900".

As Nick points out, the design is clearly inspired by the sash badges of the Second Type First and Second Class Double Dragon. Given these were awarded after 1902, it's likely the Merit Badge was awarded after then. Of course the reverse argument might equally apply!

It would seem that the "Verdienstmedaille" (Kung Pai) mentioned by Trost is this same badge going from the name and the colour of the ribbon. The reference to Four Classes is interesting. It could just be tarnish but the two examples above appear to be gilded while Emmanuel's example is a very clean looking silver.

However none of the three examples we've seen have a rosette so if Trost is correct, these are Gold Second Class and Silver Second Class awards.

Ah yes, was watching this piece on Yahoo Japan Auctions. A Lao Tian Li piece and a real beauty. Only thing missing is the lapel rosette.

Did you catch what the final price was?

Don't have any information on the Merit Medal I'm afraid. But believe these were only awarded in one class.

Interestingly as an aside, the Berlin Legation Medal was awarded in two classes - silver and gold (gilt).

The Qing medals and decorations are even more obscure than the subsequent Warlord period ones.

Here are the Order of the Double Dragon Fifth Class badges - First Type (1882-1901) and Second Type (1902-1912). Images from Morton & Eden.

The original 1882 Statutes specified the ribbon length for the First Type Fourth and Fifth Class as "five cun" in length (approx. 15 cm). So this might suggest either a very long breast ribbon or a very short neck ribbon! Note the specimen in the image is on an unofficial ribbon.

The Second Type Fourth and Fifth Classes were breast badges.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2013/post-11630-0-04585700-1367872170.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2013/post-11630-0-61488400-1367872876.jpg

The Chinese medal is a Medal for Meritorious Deeds and Achievements, a Qing Dynasty decoration, NOT an Order of the Double Dragon.

The 29 November 2012 Morton and Eden auction had an example (image left).

Didn't check the selling price but hope the buyer isn't fool enough to wire transfer funds to a bank account in the Ukraine.

I've since been reliably informed by one of our excellent GMIC members that the item is located quite happily in China.

That Golden Grain set was also sold only a few months ago from a US ebay seller (I'd forgotten that). Same images from the US seller.

Smart business enterprise. Think how many dodgy fake Chinese medals you'd need to sell to make that amount of cash

Given the international and local HK, Chinese, Taiwan press coverage I'd say it was VERY GOOD marketing for the auction house.

Four rounds of frenzied media reporting - in the lead-up to the first sale, the failure to sell, the lead-up to the second sale, and ... the likely failure to sell.

You can't buy publicity like that as a company!

Yup, Nick, deja vu. Even if I DID have half a million USD to spend on a medal, I'd be wanting irrefutable documentary provenance.

Without that, all you have is an expert opinion. Given the difference in price between a Chiang Kai-shek and non-Chiang Kai-shek specimen is probably their estimated price less $10,000, that's one EXPENSIVE expert opinion.

The seller's contention appears to rest on two claims, neither of which appears to have been proven beyond doubt:

* Chiang Kai-shek was the ONLY person to have received a "Special One"; AND

* This PARTICULAR specimen belong to Chiang - as opposed to a production sample, an unissued specimen, etc.

As for the argument that it was for the Defence Ministry to prove that Chiang was buried with the medal, thought we've already seen photographs of Chiang in his casket wearing the medal.

Rare order in superb condition purportedly available on ebay from our familiar seller from the Ukraine.

No Paypal above USD 500. Wire transfer only! So feel free to bid up to $499.95

Interestingly, the seller is also advertising a 2nd Class Chinese Republic Order of the Golden Grain "set" except with mismatching sash badge and the breast star.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2013/post-11630-0-87806500-1367449013.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2013/post-11630-0-06299400-1367449027.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2013/post-11630-0-95499000-1367449040.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2013/post-11630-0-24366800-1367449052.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2013/post-11630-0-56710600-1367449074.jpg

Thanks Nick. It's hard to imagine Taisho signing all 3000 Golden Kite certificates for Tsingtao.

Would I be right in thinking only the higher classes were signed by the Emperor?

I tell you one thing - this metal bar on the ribbon is typical for portuguese (and spanish) awards

Hmmm, I suspected as much. That aligns with the item being located in Portugal.

But not it being made by an Italian manufacturer. Unless a Portugese / Spanish recipient commissioned it whilst visiting Rome ... from an obscure Italian jeweller ... when there were plenty of well known Portugese and Spanish jewelers then.

Guess we'll never know whether this badge + breast ribbon ensemble was an original marriage or a later invention.

Thanks very much Rich!

These are certainly beautiful documents with a historically important signature.

Second set

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11630-0-02526200-1367118112.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11630-0-26128800-1367118176.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11630-0-80426400-1367118156.jpg

Here are two Manchukuo documents that were sold on Yahoo Japan Auctions for considerable amounts.

Interestingly both bear the personal signature of Emperor Puyi next to the large red centre seal. Chinese Republic award documents often bear the signature of the President while Japanese documents do not bear the Emperor's signature I believe?

I'm not familiar with Manchukuo award documents so would anybody be able to suggest what award these were for?

First set. All images from YJA.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11630-0-65692600-1367117959.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11630-0-73219900-1367117985.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11630-0-61801100-1367118004.jpg

This is an unusual badge recently sold on bay. The vendor in Portugal described the maker as "G.Rinzi - Roma" and size 53 mm. Images from ebay.

The successful bidder had 705 ebay feedbacks so we're likely to see this again soon.

It is a Second Class, Third Grade sash badge from the spade design between each petal or arm of the badge. The First and Second Grades have a five-petaled flower between each arm, while the Third Grade has an angular or spade shaped design. Some European made insignia have however been encountered with the spade design badge accompanying a First or Second Grade breast star.

No makers mark appear on the images so it is unclear where "G. Rinzi - Roma" is derived from.

The centre coral stone is carved with the Chinese shou ("longevity") symbol. Unusually, the stone has been flattened no doubt to make carving the pattern easier.

What is MOST unusual about this specimen is the frilly(!) brown ribbon suggesting it was worn as a breast badge. These badges were intended to be sash badges although recipients often wore them as neck badges. This is the first time I've seen one as a breast badge.

The standard sash badge clasp appears to be missing although it might be concealed by the ribbon.

It's possible that the recipient originally commissioned it as a breast badge although it is almost impossible to prove either way. Does anyone know what European style of breast ribbon this is?

Probably a specimen more of curiosity value I might suggest.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11630-0-72181900-1367116518.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11630-0-11337800-1367116589.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11630-0-12466300-1367116625.jpg

Ah, thanks Nick. Did the National Stamp change with each Emperor?

For Chinese documents, I believe the large stamp was the Emperor's or President's, so each had a unique stamp.

Very nice! Thanks for posting these.

I'm fascinated by the five red seals on the document.

I'm guessing the large square seal in the centre is that of the Emperor. Would anyone know what the other seals denote?

Very interesting Nick, thanks for posting this medal. I'm guessing it's very rare too?

I'm now more convinced that the similarity in manufacturing styles suggests the 1942 Nanjing Puppet Government Visit to Japan medal was indeed commissioned and manufactured in Japan.

Interesting the use of the golden grain and five coloured bar flag motif on the medal. The golden grain was a symbol of the early Republic (1912-28). The five coloured bar flag was of course that of the Republic before it was replaced by the Nationalist Blue Sky, White Sun, Red Field flag. It continued to feature in the flag of Manchukuo.

The Wang Jingwei Reorganised Government also had a fight with their Japanese overlords over the choice of flag. The Japanese wanted the old five coloured bar flag whilst the Wang Jingwei regime insisted on the Blue Sky, White Sun, Red Field since they claimed to be the legitimate successors to Sun Yat-sen.

JC mentions it was unknown in China for many years, and only appears for sale in Japan or the US.

That, together with the strong resemblance to Japanese awards (box, ribbon, etc), suggests it was commissioned, manufactured and issued in Japan during the visit.

Thanks JC, I will try to translate.

JC says the 1942 Visit to Japan Medal is mysterious and very rarely appears. When it does appear, it is only in Japan or the United States.

For many years in China, it was not even known that this medal existed.

Very nice JC! I especially like your TWO Peaceful National Foundation Medals.

Very rare indeed!