China, Qing Dynasty. An Imperial Order of the Double Dragon, II Class, III Grade, c.1905

Shuang Lung Pao Hsing. Instituted in 1882. Type II (1900-1912). Badge: in silver with teal light blue and dark blue enamels, large red bead in the centre and a smaller coral bead above, measuring 40.7 mm (w) x 53.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring; and Breast Star: in silver gilt with teal light blue and dark blue enamels, large red bead in the centre, missing its smaller coral bead above, measuring 76 mm (w) x 76.5 mm (h), vertical pinback. Although the coral bead is missing on the Breast Star, the enamels remain intact on both pieces, near extremely fine.

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.