Korea, Empire. An Order of the Eight Trigrams, IV Class, c.1910

(兌 Duì). Instituted 1901. A IV Class decoration in silver gilt, presenting six blue enamelled arms with white enamel borders, the center medallion features three red enamelled lines, the top two of which are separated in the middle, the reverse is plain with a kanji inscription in the center, measures 50.38 mm (w) x 56.92 mm (h - inclusive of integral ball suspension), weighs 21.2 grams, marked on the ring with a French swan punch mark denoting silver manufacture, imported from countries without a trading contact to France since 1893, accompanied by an original triangular ribbon with rosette, enamels intact, decoration slightly bent with 10 and 3 o’clock arms off kilter, minor contact marks to obverse, gilt wear intact, in near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: This Order was established on the 6th Anniversary of Korean Independence. The symbolism used is the Chinese Ba Gua, based on Taoist cosmology. Each Class is represented by a particular object and figure. The IV Class is thunder and motion. This order was awarded until 1910, when Korea was annexed by Japan.