China, Republic. An Imperial Order Of The Double Dragon, Ii Class, Grade Two Neck Badge, C.1900

(Shuang Lung Pao Hsing). Instituted in 1882. Type II (1900-1912), Multi-piece construction, of Chinese manufacture, insignia in silver, bearing a red jade stone placed within a silver setting in the centre, with a red enamelled bead placed in the 12 o'clock position, the insignia surrounded by a ring in navy blue enamels and mounted to a silver base incorporating five flattened arms, with star-like floral motifs placed between each of the five arms in sky blue enamels, measuring 49 mm (w) x 63.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, very light contact, on a replacement ribbon with incorrect piping, 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.