The Order of Medjidie (Full Size),

3rd class, Crimea war era

Sultan Abdulmecid with Order of Medjidie
Source: Google Art Project

Item number: M36

Year: AD 1853-1856

Material: Gold, Silver and Enamel

Size: order 59.10 x 59.10 / ribbon 37.82 x 127.27 mm

Weight: 40.00 g

Provenance: Livepool Medals 2022

This is a 3rd class Order of the Medjidie, bestowed by Sultan Abdulmejid I during the Crimean War. It was awarded to individuals of Ottoman Empire as well as to the allies, including those from Britain and France, who participated in the conflict.

Abdulmejid I continued his father Mahmud II’s modernization reforms known as the “Tanzimat,” introducing Western institutions and technology. In AD 1851, the Sultan established the Order of the Medjidie under his own name, inspired by European orders, with five grades and clear legal criteria for eligibility. (See table)

The eligibility for receiving the Order in the empire required a minimum of twenty years of service for its subjects. Subsequent promotions were based on the duration of service, with promotion to the fourth class requiring two years, the third class requiring three years, and the second class requiring four years. However, during wartime, the duration of service was counted as double. For the first two classes of the Order of the Medjidie, recipients were also entitled to wear a sun-shaped star on the left chest. The design of the Medjidie Medal was consistent across all classes, featuring seven rays, each with five beams, and adorned with the sacred Ramadan motif representing Islamic faith between the rays.

The obverse side features the golden Tughra, exclusive to the Sultan, at the center. The surrounding deep red enamel bears inscriptions in gold Ottoman script, including legends like “You surpassed,” “You proved yourself right,” “You provided protection,” and “Hijri 1268 (AD 1851).” Above the Order is a red enamel crescent moon-shaped suspension, linked to the green-bordered red ribbon.

The reverse side, featuring a plain concave backplate, is a characteristic style from the Crimean War period. The Medjidie Order was often crafted by foreign jewelers, including those in Paris, and their hallmarks can frequently be found on the back. While the Order experienced a peak in distribution to foreigners during the Crimean War, another surge occurred during World War I, particularly granted to German and Austro-Hungarian military officers who assisted the Ottoman forces. After 1918, following the Ottoman Empire’s defeat and dissolution, the Medjidie Order became a part of history.

克里米亞戰爭時期

三級邁吉德勳章(官方版)

物件編號: M36

年代: 公元 1853-1856 年

材質: 黃金, 銀和琺瑯

尺寸: 勳章 59.10 x 59.10 / 綬帶 37.82 x 127.27 mm

重量: 40.00 g

來源: 利物浦獎章 2022

該勳章為克里米亞戰爭期間，鄂圖曼蘇丹阿卜杜勒邁吉德一世授予參戰的本國籍和英法等盟軍的三級邁吉德勳章。邁吉德一世延續父親馬哈茂德二世的「坦志麥特」現代化改革政策，引進西方新式制度和科技的同時，也仿效西方的獎勵規範。公元1851年，以蘇丹本人的名諱創建邁吉德勳章，參考歐洲制訂為五個等級，對頒獎資格亦有法律的明文規範。(見下圖)

帝國的臣民若想得到獲獎資格，服役至少二十年是最基本的條件。後續的升等也取決於服役時間，升格為四等為兩年，三等為三年，二等則是四年。但戰時的服役時間會以雙倍計算。頭兩個等級的邁吉德勳章，於左胸還得以配戴一枚太陽形狀的星章。各等級的邁吉德勳章設計皆為一致，由各自擁有五條射線的七道光芒組成。每道光芒之間，鑲嵌著伊斯蘭信仰最神聖的齋月圖樣。

正面的中央刻有金製專屬蘇丹的花押簽字。外圍的深紅色琺瑯，分別以金色的鄂圖曼字母寫著「您超越了」、「您證明自己是正確的」、「您提供保護」和「回曆1268年(公元1851年)」等訊息。勳章上方為一紅色琺瑯的齋月狀懸掛，以此和綠色邊框的紅色綬帶相互連結。

背面的無銘文凹形背板是克里米亞戰爭時期的特色風格。邁吉德勳章多委由巴黎等國外珠寶商打造，在背面時常能找到生產商的標記。該勳章在克里米亞戰爭大量頒發給外籍人士外，另一個高峰為第一次世界大戰時，授予指導鄂圖曼軍隊的德國和奧匈帝國軍官。公元1918年後，隨著鄂圖曼帝國戰敗走向瓦解，邁吉德勳章也走入歷史。

類似/相同物件 請看:

英國 菲茨威廉博物館 Fitzwilliam Museum

https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/dept/coins/collection/watson/page404.html

英國 格林威治皇家博物館 Royal Museums Greenwich

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-41469

紐西蘭 懷卡托美術文化博物館 Waikato Museum

https://collection.waikatomuseum.org.nz/objects/23803/order-of-the-medjidie-medal-captain-hamilton

更多相關訊息請參考:

https://www.academia.edu/41975855/MEC%C4%B0D%C4%B0_N%C4%B0%C5%9EANLARI

https://www.identifymedals.com/database/medals-by-country/turkey-medals/the-order-of-the-medjidie/