NGUYEN DYNASTY (ANNAM): Dong Khanh, 1885-1889, Order of the Dragon of

NGUYEN DYNASTY (ANNAM): Dong Khanh, 1885-1889, Order of the Dragon of Annam, Barac-92, Werlich-407, Sylvester-3/1/b, 97mm, Grand Officer Breast Star, silver star with faceted surface & 16 multi-tipped rays; at center, a blue enameled oval emblazoned with the imperial seal & encircled by a red band; above, a roaring dragon in teal facing, its claws clutching the oval and its body coiled below // pinback with two retaining hooks, tiny hallmark on pin catch, small cracks & chips in the enamel, EF, R, ex John Sylvester Jr. Collection. Instituted on March 14th, 1886, the Order of the Dragon of Annam became a French colonial order on May 10, 1896. It was awarded by both the emperor (till 1946) and the French president (till 1950), mainly to high-ranking French officials, but also those from neighboring nations. To avoid confusion, those awarded by the emperor were suspended from red ribbons with yellow trim, and those awarded by the French president from green ribbons with orange trim.

Estimate: 800-1,000 USD