France/Vietnam - Order of the Dragon of Annam - Officer Class Badge - Gilt & Enamel
Description:
Offered here is a rare and authentic Order of the Dragon of Annam (Ordre impérial du Dragon d’Annam), established on March 14, 1886, by Emperor Đồng Khánh of Annam (Vietnam) under French colonial patronage.
This beautiful Officer Class badge features an intricate design combining Vietnamese imperial symbolism and French colonial influence.
Details:
Type: Officer Class Badge
Origin: Vietnam (under French Colonial Administration)
Period: Late 19th to Early 20th Century
Material: Gilt bronze with detailed green enamel dragon, crown suspension, and colored enamel center
Dimensions:
Total height (including suspension): approx. 88.7 mm
Width (star alone): approx. 49.2 mm
Design:
Eight-pointed radiant gilt star
Central medallion with stylized Chinese characters ("Hoàng đế Đồng Khánh")
Green enamel dragon and imperial crown suspension
Ribbon: Green with gold edges (presidential issue)
Reverse: Plain gilt, typical of the type
Condition:
Excellent bright finish to gilding
Very slight wear to enamel on dragon (please refer to photos)
Original ribbon present; some slight age wear
A beautiful, well-preserved historic piece
Historical Background:
The Order of the Dragon of Annam was established to reward distinguished service to the Vietnamese imperial court and the French colonial administration. It was modeled after the French Légion d’honneur, both in structure and appearance.
Following the collapse of French Indochina, the order was abolished and replaced by the National Order of Vietnam. The green and gold ribbon of the Dragon of Annam was retained for early South Vietnamese awards before eventually being changed.
Because "Annam" (meaning "Pacified South" in Chinese) was a colonialist term, the order became politically sensitive post-independence, making surviving examples increasingly rare and collectible.