JapanX

Yes, this is undoubtedly very beautiful and very unusual lion and sun order...

If it comes to that http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/54861-pro-fide-lege-et-rege-imperial-russia-order-of-the-white-eagle/ :lol:

Yep, it could be British work after all. Thanks for posting the reverse! Cheers, Nick

My thoughts exactly It will be great to see the reverse construction ... Cheers, Nick

Russian? Hmmm... With this amazing quality of central medallion? I think our mate Babar will strongly disagree I'll post something quite interesting by tomorrow evening, so you better stay tuned my friend Cheers, Nick

With these dimensions it is indeed hardly a miniature.... Most likely these are consequences of maker phantasy. 8 rays is of course something quite eccentric (as well as additional mini rays), but this order (as the Persian awarding system in general) is inherently eccentric. Cheers, Nick

Yep, looks like 1st Baron Amulree is a plausible candidate for this chinese order By tomorrow evening I'll make a separate thread completely devoted to Chinese red cross medals and orders issued in the early days of Republic. With clear pictures of reverses, obverses, different variations, etc... Cheers, Nick

Hi Mat! Beautiful piece! Definitely high-quality European work. 5 cm ... Is it diameter of medal or is it height together with suspension ring? Most likely it is a miniature Cheers, Nick

Cool specimens Owain! Very interesting "military" lions Thanks, Nick

Hi Owain, the earlest examples that I saw came from 1911 (if the memory serve me right I saw once red cross medal issued for englishmen in 1911 (naturally (for English recipients ) with name of recipient stamped on the edge). I think it will be safe to assume that this medals and order were in use at least until 1928. About later time period (1928-1949) I have some doubts since a) at October 1, 1938 (and maybe even earlier) puppet state Manchuko introduced its own red cross awards and these awards had exactly the same ribbons as their Chinese predecessors I wonder if they use the red/yellow ribbon because original Chinese red cross awards by this time were obsolete... b) personally I've never seen any medal groups or photos from 30s/40s with Chinese red cross medals/orders In any case maximum theoretical time estimate is of course 1949, but there is a probability that these medals and orders became obsolete in 1928. Regards, Nick

Hi Gents! This is certainly Chinese red cross merit order (made in silver by the way ) With very unusual obverse central medallion (usual version has plain dark blue background) and reverse I must add ... But undoubtedly this is authentic one. Special commemorative piece? Qing Dynasty introduced red cross awards around 1900 (exact date is not known) and (not surprisingly) copied Japan system of red cross awards. Full Member Medal Special Member Medal (I believe Hugh medal is a special member medal (since it is gold gilted), but we will need the reverse to confirm that ) Order (at least three different variations...) Regards, Nick

De nada amigo!

Will try to do my best Same thread this Saturday ;)

That`s all for today, but in the next couple of days I hope to cover version with diamonds, Faberge made signs and signs made by Provisional Government in 1917. Regards, Nick

Complete set from Eduard made between 1910 and 1917.

Yep. I wonder how Morton & Eden figured out that it is postal service decoration... By reverse inscription?

Reverse

And another Keibel breast star made between 1865 and 1899. Obverse

Marks close up

Reverse

Later brest star from Keibel (1880s-1890s) Obverse

Reverse

Versions with Swords Keibel breast star from 1850s. Obverse

Same period, but with swords ...

Another piece from 1890s