Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
April 2017 Hong Kong Auction - Sess. A-E 3-5 April 2017
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CHINA. Order of the Double Dragon Type I First Class, Third Grade Badge & Breast Star Pattern Set, ND (Instituted 1882). NEARLY MINT STATE.
Vernon-unlisted; cf.Li-pg. 9 & 13; Werlich-unlisted. The Badge is 51 x 99 mm (including hanger), 70.8 grams, and marked 18K. Two part, hollow construction. Blue and multi-color dragons with Chinese inscriptions in the four corners with a Manchu inscription running vertically down the middle between the two dragons. A geometric pattern in blue enamel appears along all four edges of the obverse. Similar to Li-Page 9 examples, however the coral jewel is not engraved, and the reverse of the hanger is inscribed with the WG JL Logo (William Gibson and John Langman of the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company, London 1882 - 1894). The Breast Star is of an apparently unlisted variety with an eight-pointed multi-rayed silver star of the same size (91 mm) and style as those illustrated on page 13 of Li. However the central device is completely dissimilar to any of the listed examples: A 37.5 mm square silver plaque with the same border design as that on the Badge, with blue and multicolor dragons and associated inscriptions as on the badge as well. Like the other piece in the set, the coral is not inscribed. The reverse bears the same WG JL logo on both the single hinged tunic pin, and at the center of the reverse. The case is in red leather, silk and velvet with ORDRE DU DOUBLE DRAGON / I Classe 3 Grade stamped in gold on the cover. The case seems of the same manufacture as the Russian cases illustrated on Page 15 of Li, but the interior is inscribed PRIZE (CROWN) MEDALS / MANUFACTURING / GOLDSMITHS & SILVERSMITHS / COMPANY. / 112 REGENT ST LONDON. Quite an attractive and intriguing set. Our best guess is that it was produced as a sample for the regular issues of the Order of the Double Dragon, and unsuccessfully submitted to the Chinese government for consideration, but that is just speculation. This magnificent and EXTREMELY RARE pattern set is well worthy of further study. NEARLY MINT STATE.
Estimate: $15000.00- $20000.00
Vernon-unlisted; cf.Li-pg. 9 & 13; Werlich-unlisted. The Badge is 51 x 99 mm (including hanger), 70.8 grams, and marked 18K. Two part, hollow construction. Blue and multi-color dragons with Chinese inscriptions in the four corners with a Manchu inscription running vertically down the middle between the two dragons. A geometric pattern in blue enamel appears along all four edges of the obverse. Similar to Li-Page 9 examples, however the coral jewel is not engraved, and the reverse of the hanger is inscribed with the WG JL Logo (William Gibson and John Langman of the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company, London 1882 - 1894). The Breast Star is of an apparently unlisted variety with an eight-pointed multi-rayed silver star of the same size (91 mm) and style as those illustrated on page 13 of Li. However the central device is completely dissimilar to any of the listed examples: A 37.5 mm square silver plaque with the same border design as that on the Badge, with blue and multicolor dragons and associated inscriptions as on the badge as well. Like the other piece in the set, the coral is not inscribed. The reverse bears the same WG JL logo on both the single hinged tunic pin, and at the center of the reverse. The case is in red leather, silk and velvet with ORDRE DU DOUBLE DRAGON / I Classe 3 Grade stamped in gold on the cover. The case seems of the same manufacture as the Russian cases illustrated on Page 15 of Li, but the interior is inscribed PRIZE (CROWN) MEDALS / MANUFACTURING / GOLDSMITHS & SILVERSMITHS / COMPANY. / 112 REGENT ST LONDON. Quite an attractive and intriguing set. Our best guess is that it was produced as a sample for the regular issues of the Order of the Double Dragon, and unsuccessfully submitted to the Chinese government for consideration, but that is just speculation. This magnificent and EXTREMELY RARE pattern set is well worthy of further study. NEARLY MINT STATE.
Estimate: $15000.00- $20000.00