Annam, French Protectorate. An Order Of The Dragon Of Annam, Knight

(Ordre impérial du Dragon d'Annam). Instituted by Emperor Dong-Khanh on March 14 1886. French Awardee. Of local manufacture, in silver, an eight point ovular star with clusters of faceted rays, the center medallion features a blue field with geometric details, surrounded by a silver gilt ring (missing red enamels), surmounted by a crown suspension and yellow and green enamelled dragon suspension, the reverse is plain, measures 50.35mm (w) x 83.88mm (h), weighs 24.3 grams (including ribbon), red enamel from medallion missing, damage to blue enamels, loss of gilt on crown, ribbon is worn, in better than fine condition.

Footnote: The Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam was created on March 14, 1886, in the ancient Vietnamese city of Huế, by Emperor Đồng Khánh of the Imperial House of Annam, upon the "recommendation" of the President of France as a jointly awarded French colonial order. The Order was designed as a reward for services to the state, the French colonial government, or the emperor. When French colonial rule over Indochina ended, the Order of the Dragon of Annam was abolished and replaced by the National Order of Vietnam which was later retained and revised by the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The ribbon of the Dragon of Annam was retained for this award, but it was (belatedly) recognized that a colonial order had no place in the new regime as the order was always historically associated with the period of French rule. Even the name of "Annam" in the title of the order was a point of dishonor as the name comes from the old Chinese term for Vietnam, which means "the pacified south." It was awarded in five classes: Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight.