(Shuang Lung Pao Hsing). Instituted in 1882. Type II (1900-1912). Of Russian manufacture, circa 1905, of very unusual four-piece construction, insignia in silver, bearing a red jade stone placed within a silver setting in the centre, the insignia incorporating light blue and sky blue enamels, with a red enamelled bead placed in the 12 o'clock position, mounted to an eight-pointed star base, each of the star points with multiple emanating rays, measuring 93 mm (w) x 93 mm (h), the reverse with a 82.3 mm in diameter metal plate that is secured in place by a wingnut screwback, screwback is marked with Cyrillic makers mark and Russian Head hallmark, the star exhibiting slight chipping in the red enamelled bead, along with slight scattered chipping evident in the sky blue enamels on the series of arches that make up the outer border framework of the insignia, a very unusual and rare type, in extremely fine condition.
Footnote: The Imperial Order of the Double Dragon was an order awarded in the late Qing dynasty. The Order was founded by the Guangxu Emperor on February 7, 1882, as an award for outstanding services to the throne and the Qing court. Originally it was awarded only to foreigners but was extended to Chinese subjects from 1908. It was the first Western-style Chinese order, established in the wake of the Second Opium War, as part of efforts to engage with the West and adopt Western-style diplomatic practices. Traditionally the Chinese court did not have an honours system in the Western sense, however, hat buttons, rank badges, feathers and plumes were routinely awarded by the Emperor, to subjects and foreigners alike, prior to and after the introduction of the Order of the Double Dragon. The order was replaced in 1911 during the last days of the Qing dynasty by the Grand Order of the Throne, although this replacement was never fully implemented and the Republic of China discontinued the imperial orders after its establishment in 1912.