China Warlord period decorations: some trivial observations of their confusing similarity

[JapanX]

Chinese awards are not easy to deal with. We all know that.

All these types, grades and classes are very confusing. Putting it mildly…

And as if we don’t have enough troubles already, some of them are very much alike in their appearance. Especially those that were created during troubled times known to us today under the name “Warlords period”.

In this thread we will talk about this confusing similarity and its possible causes.

But fist of all we need to examine some of the most striking cases of this similarity.

Edited February 6, 2012 by JapanX

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We will start by examining a numerous group of warlords awards designed after the image and likeness of striped tiger order (which was created in 1912). Here we have a nice example of 5^th class of this order.

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Striped tiger 5th class

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And now let’s take a look at the following awards from warlord period that obviously borrowed heavily from their nation-wide relative.

First will be this beautiful Special Guards Merit Medal issued by the Department of the Army Special Guards Leader Cao ShuDong. It has dimension 64x64mm with 40x34mm suspension. Photo (and invaluable attribution info) through the courtesy of Richard LaTondre, Harry Mohler Collection, Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

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Special Guards Merit Medal

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Obvious similarity not only in design, but even in manufacturing style (please pay special attention to the suspension).

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Comparison

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And now very interesting New Year Athletic Commemoration Medal awarded by the 13^th Route Army, Second Division, 4^th Brigade Commander-in-Chief, National Revolution Army. It has dimension 66x64mm with 38x31mm suspension. Photo and attribution through the courtesy of Richard LaTondre, Harry Mohler Collection, Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

Edited February 6, 2012 by JapanX

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Athletic Commemoration Medal

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Following warlords awards will not that closely resembles striped tiger design. Not only central tablet will be different, but suspension design will be different too. But this suspension (in the form of the leaf) will be identical for all pieces in our treatment. Let’s examine these specimens.

Heilongjiang Province Warlord Wu Junsheng Comemorative Medal. It has dimension 74x63mm. Issued around 1925. Photo and attribution through the courtesy of Richard LaTondre, Harry Mohler Collection, Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

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Heilongjiang Province

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ShanTung Province Naval Merit Medal awarded by Commander Bei ShuCang. It has dimension 83x70mm. Numbered 240. Photo and attribution through the courtesy of Richard LaTondre, Harry Mohler Collection, Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

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Naval Merit Medal

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And now (long waited ) Wu Peifu Merit Medal. It has dimension 76x63mm. Photo and attribution through the courtesy of Richard LaTondre, Harry Mohler Collection, Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

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Wu Peifu Merit Medal

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And of course Order of Extreme Bravery, 3^rd class issued (allegedly) by Chang Tso Lin government most probably during 1916-28 period. It has dimension 76x63mm. Made in bronze. Three part construction with plain reverse.

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Order of Extreme Bravery

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Well, I think we have enough evidence for this group. Let’s try something different – a large family of medals/badges with very similar design based on double dragon order.

First will be this Zhenwu Army Medal (attribution and photo by Morton&Eden). Made in bronze.

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Zhenwu Army Medal

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And now very interesting Medal for Military Merit, 2^nd Class, 2^nd Degree (allegedly). Circa 1913 (?). It has dimension 54,5x54,5mm. Made in silver, two parts construction. Incorrect ribbon (?).

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Medal for Military Merit

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Comparison

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That’s what I call striking similarity!

Now this beautiful Merit Medal issued by Military Governor of Shanxi Province (attribution and photo by Morton&Eden).

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Shanxi Province Merit Medal

Edited February 6, 2012 by JapanX

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Next this 2^nd class Merit Medal issued by the Hunan Province Inspector. Established December 1918. It has dimension 61x53mm. Made in silver. Photo and attribution through the courtesy of Richard LaTondre, Harry Mohler Collection, Hoover Institution, Stanford University.