China, Republic - Kuomintang Era. An Order Of The Brilliant Jade, First Class Badge, c.1933

(Fěicuì xūnzhāng). Instituted in 1933. A desirable and rare complete first class set of textbook Chinese manufacture, featuring the sash badge of the order featuring a red jade disk bearing an ornate textured design placed in the large silver gilt setting in the centre, the disk surrounded by a ring of twenty-five silver gilt beads upon a disk in silver with red enamels, in turn backed by a five-pointed star, each of the star points in silver and blue enamels that are designed with multiple leaves and petals, all of which is mounted to a five-pointed star base, each star point with five faceted emanating rays, the rays flanked by three protruding swirls on either side, the swirls housing a ball at the junction in three locations where they butt each other, number impressed "154" on the reverse, measuring 62.54 mm (w) x 108.76 mm (h - inclusive of suspension), very light contact, presented on original blue sash; Accompanied by the matching star of the order, 

a red jade disk bearing an ornate textured design placed in the large silver gilt setting in the centre, the disk surrounded by a ring of twenty-five silver gilt beads upon a disk in silver with red enamels, in turn backed by a five-pointed star, each of the star points in silver and blue enamels that are designed with multiple leaves and petals, all of which is mounted to a convex five-pointed star, each star point with five faceted emanating rays, the rays flanked by three protruding swirls on either side, the swirls housing a ball at the junction in three locations where they butt each other, number impressed "154" on the reverse, with pronounced single pin assembly, measuring 76.03 mm (h) x 75.05 mm (w), with light contact to enamels, jade exhibiting signs of cracking, otherwise set remains extremely fine. 

Both sash badge and star are safely housed in original case of issue, featuring wooden frame with black lacquered exterior with hand painted Chinese characters announcing the order, interior with red velvet medal bed and red silk interior lid, strong hinge and catch, case remains near very fine. 

 Footnote: The Order of the Brilliant Jade was instituted in 1933 by the Republic of China during the Kuomintang Era. It was established as a civilian award that could be worn only by the head of a nation. According to regulations, the order can only be presented by the president of the country or an emissary expressly dispatched to friendly nations for the conferment. The Order was subsequently transferred to the Republic of China when it re-established itself as Taiwan on the island of Formosa.