China, Occupied Manchukuo. An Order of the Auspicious Clouds, III Class, c.1935

(Ta Hsan Wei Lan Hua Chang). Instituted in 1934. Produced by the Japanese Mint. In silver with blue, white and yellow enamels, along with a red glass circular centerpiece ring, measuring 62 mm (w) x 92 mm (h) inclusive of its Imperial orchid suspension, chipping evident in the red glass on the centrepiece ring, accompanied by its original full-length neck ribbon, better than very fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, the case with a balsa wood frame, black lacquer finish, gilt characters on the lid, the inside of the lid lined in purple satin and padded, raised platform with a recessed purple velvet medal bed, long scrape mark on the bottom, light scuffing on the exterior, case also better than very fine.

Footnote: The "Ching Yun Chang"’ was established together with the higher orders by Imperial Edict of March 1, 1934. Eight classes were established for award to recipients of the 1st through 8th Orders of Merit, and is the exact equivalent of the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun. It is known as Order of the Prosperous Clouds (also known as the Order of the Auspicious Clouds). The number of II Class of the Order produced by the Japanese Mint was 689, between 1934 and 1945