China Imperial Chinese Medals

[j-sk]

Good evening Genlemen,

Does anybody have detailed informations about the following Chinese medals? What are they worth? Were they attributed to military personnel only or to civil servants as well? On what occasions?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

Cheers,

Jean-Sam.

[JapanX]

Hi Jean-Sam,

you may find this thread in some interest

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

Cheers,

Nick

[Claudius]

The one with the yellow ribbon is the Order of Double Dragon, a lower class and lower grade. It was awarded to civil servants, diplomats, etc.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Claudius

[JapanX]

Regarding medal on red ribbon extract from "Two Imperial Chinese Legation Medals", Jeffrey Jacob, OMRS Journal,

September 2005

"In Europe, the Chinese diplomatic representatives soon realised they needed some kind of award they could present to deserving foreigners for services to the Chinese Empire and often for services rendered to the Legation itself. They could recommend the award of the Imperial Order of the Double Dragon (established in 1882 in five classes, with the higher three classes subdivided into three grades each, for foreigners only), but communication was slow, their advice was not always acted upon, and even when the Order was awarded, it is noticeable that only the higher three classes seem to have been given. So at some time (exact data is lacking) the Imperial Government must have authorised each major Legation to institute and award their own mdals. I suspect the Double Dragon was awarded to the more important military and government officials, while these medals were given to lesser officials and junior military personnel.

Medal of Legation in Berlin. The medal came in two classes (gold - which is to say, gold-plated silver - and silver) and measures 42mm in diameter, not counting the 7mm loop above. The obverse has the Imperial Dragon and much decorative work, the reverse simply has '1st Class' or '2nd Class' in Chinese characters. The 1st Class weighs 16 dwt (penny weight) and the 2nd, which is slightly thinner, weighs 13 dwt. They were struck by different dies, and there are minor differences in the design. They were made to be worn as the recipient wished, and as can be seen, mine is mounted German-style, on the 'Cornflower blue' ribbon of the Order of the Crown of Prussia. Another 1st Class I once saw was worn attached to a five-link chain, which in turn hung from a yellow light-weight moire ribbon. "

[JapanX]

The one with the yellow ribbon is the Order of Double Dragon, a lower class and lower grade. It was awarded to civil servants, diplomats, etc.

Nope, it isn't dear Claudius (not long ago I thought so too ).

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

:)

[Claudius]

Nope, it isn't dear Claudius (not long ago I thought so too ).

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

Oh, that's right....!

[j-sk]

Thanks to you all, Gentlemen, for your precious help and valuable informations !

All the best,

Jean-Sam.

[j-sk]

Post scriptum: I guess these medals are now hard to find. What would they cost on today's medal market...?

Jean-Sam.

Edited August 20, 2013 by j-sk

[Rogi]

Chinese collectors have started (for a bit of time now) to re-purchase items that relate to their country and history, which is part has driven up prices on these orders and medals. A quick ebay search should result in a couple answers. I'm not 100% sure if we are allowed to discuss MSRP :S

[j-sk]

Regarding literature, is there any reliable and comprehensive book or work edited in either English, French, German or Italian on Imperial Chinese orders and medals?

Cheers,

Jean-Sam.

[JapanX]

Jean-Sam, please take a look at this thread

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/55375-the-order-of-the-double-dragon-new-book/

Also see http://chinesemedal.wordpress.com/

Unfortunately not many reliable books are around ...

[JapanX]

Regarding the prices...

They are too volatile to comment.

For reputable auction house prices see these catalogues (available in PDF format)

http://www.mortonandeden.com/

A good example

http://www.mortonandeden.com/pdfcats/60web.pdf

Another auction house

http://www.baldwin.co.uk/media/cms/auction-archive/auction-hkca47/3%20HKCA47%20-%20Orders%20and%20Decorations.pdf

eBay prices is completely different story ...

Flea market prices is another saga :)

Edited August 21, 2013 by JapanX

[drclaw]

Jean-Sam, these medals look like they're in superb condition.

Did they all belong to the same recipient / collection?

[j-sk]

They are indeed.

Unfortunately I do not know much (actually nothing) about the original owner.

Cheers,

Jean-Sam.