The statutes of the Order of of the Double Dragon, including full-size illustrations, were printed in Chinese and also in French by Th. Dupuy in Paris in form of a proposal of the Tsongli-Yamen (Premier's office) to the Empress Regent on February 7, 1882; they were imperially approved on the same day. Up to 1908 the order was exclusively for foreigners. The order had 5 classes, the upper three classes being subdivided in 3 grades each. The class and grade designation is written in Man characters on the type I insignia (cf. James Peterson, in The Medal Collector 1963, No. 4, p.6ff). The early insignia were made in China, but they were often criticized in the Western World as being below the dignity of Chinese, as being worn only as neck badges (although on beautifully embroidered ribbons) without stars even in the highest classes, as having the size of cow bells, and as being not shiny enough. This led to a number of changes. Sashes were introduced already in 1883 for the 1st and 2nd class which, according to a decree of 1894, had now to be in gold and to be accompanied by breast stars. These breast stars of the central government were probably all made in St. Petersburg (by Mikhail Bogdanov). – The variety of these Type I insignia was greatly enhanced by the fact that the recipients of the three lower classes (and of the 2nd class?) could be proposed to the Court by Viceroys, Governors, Generals and other high officials who, however, had to pay for the insignia. This was used particularly by Li Hung-chang to introduce neck badges of reduced size and of non-standard design. When breast stars were introduced in 1894 the silver stars were frequently ordered in Europe (from, e.g., Halley, Krétly, Lemaitre, Wolfers, and Godet) and surmounted by a much reduced, Chinesemade type I badge. - In spite of the decentralized proposals, a central roster of all bestowals was kept in Peking with a running number through all classes. These numbers, repeated on the bestowal documents, allow the conclusion that less than 1000 Type-I insignia of all classes were distributed from 1882 to the outbreak of the Boxer Rebellion.
The confusing variety of insignia led to a new unified, Chinese-made Type II model which was finally introduced in 1902. No official description of the insignia of type II is known (see King Kwok, The Order of the Precious Star of the Double Dragon (2nd Type), in: Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America, 53 (2002), Nr. 6, p. 3-10). Until the end of the type II insignia late in 1911 their form has remained quite stable with only some variations in size and in some other details. But there were also European-made insignia. The class designation in Man characters is in the 7 and 8 o’clock position in the ring about the centre (cf. James Peterson, in: The Medal Collector 1963, No. 4, p.6ff). The running numbers (since 1882) of the bestowal documents show that about 4000 Type-II insignia of all classes were distributed in 1902-1911.
The confusing variety of insignia led to a new unified, Chinese-made Type II model which was finally introduced in 1902. No official description of the insignia of type II is known (see King Kwok, The Order of the Precious Star of the Double Dragon (2nd Type), in: Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America, 53 (2002), Nr. 6, p. 3-10). Until the end of the type II insignia late in 1911 their form has remained quite stable with only some variations in size and in some other details. But there were also European-made insignia. The class designation in Man characters is in the 7 and 8 o’clock position in the ring about the centre (cf. James Peterson, in: The Medal Collector 1963, No. 4, p.6ff). The running numbers (since 1882) of the bestowal documents show that about 4000 Type-II insignia of all classes were distributed in 1902-1911.
279
Orden vom Doppelten Drachen, 1. Modell (1882-1902), Kleinod 1. Klasse, 1. Grad, 89,8 x 62,5 mm, Silber hohl
gefertigt und zusammengelötet, vergoldet und tlw. emailliert, mit Cloisonné-Emaillierung, mehrere min. kaum
sichtbare Abplatzungen, mit Perle, auf der Rückseite zwei Luftdruck-Ausgleichslöcher, ohne Band.
Order of the Double Dragon, 1st type (1882-1902), 1st class, 1st grade badge, 89,8 x 62,5 mm, silver, maunfacturerd hollow,
gilt and ptly. enamelled, with cloisonné enamelling, some min. nearly invisible chipping, with pearl, on the reverse two air
pressure regulation holes, without ribbon.
Aussergewöhnliches Exemplar von allergrösster Seltenheit, das exakt den Statuten von 1882 entspricht. Deutlich von weitaus
höherer Anfertigungsqualität als die öfters im Handel auftauchenden Kleinode der 1. Klasse in reduzierter Grösse, die von der
Firma C. F. Rothe in Wien in den 1960er und 1970er Jahren hergestellt worden sind und bis jetzt teilweise als Originale galten.
- Die Klasse ist Souveränen vorbehalten.
For sovereigns. - An outstanding piece of the highest rarity, which corresponds exacly to the statutes of 1882. Clearly of much
higher quality than the frequent 1st class badges of reduced size that were made by C.F. Rothe in Vienna in the 1960’s.