The Royal Order of Cambodia
(Miniature), Officer Class
軍官級柬埔寨王家勳章
(迷你版)
Item number: M55
Year: AD 1864-Present
Material: Gold and Enamel
The results after XRF testing
Reverse of the medal | Percentage % |
Ag | 7.99% |
Au | 84.40% |
Cu | 7.61% |
Size: order 21.27 x 11.95 mm
Weight: 1.09 g
Provenance: La Galerie Numismatique 2023
This object is a miniature version of the Officer Class of the Royal Order of Cambodia, featuring an eight-pointed star made of gold, connected to a suspended crown. At the apex of the crown, there is a small cross atop a golden globe. The obverse of the medal has an oval shape with purple enamel painting, bearing the golden royal coat of arms. The outer edge of the oval is surrounded by a red enamel border with gold medallions on both sides.
The ribbon has a width of 37 mm, originally designed with a red ribbon bordered by green edges. In AD 1899, due to the resemblance to the Legion of Honour ribbon, the French colonial government issued a new decree changing the colors to a white ribbon with orange edges. For ranks of Officer Class (fourth class) and above, the ribbon is adorned with a 30 mm white and orange rosette. In AD 1948, after gaining independence from colonial status, Cambodia restored the original red and green color scheme for the ribbon.
Under the unique Mandala system in Southeast Asia, a region could simultaneously be a vassal of different rulers. Cambodia, once a powerful empire in the medieval period under the Khmer Empire, later became a vassal of both the Vietnamese Nguyễn Dynasty and the Siamese (Thai) Chakri Dynasty. Since AD 1845, Siam (Thailand) and Vietnam have jointly exercised protection over Cambodia.
However, Southeast Asia’s traditional order quickly faced challenges and disruptions from the new power, France. Unwilling to be a puppet of Siam, Crown Prince Norodom sought support and protection from the emerging French influence. Since French intervention in July AD 1863, Cambodia became a highly autonomous protectorate. On February 8, AD 1864, King Norodom I, inspired by the French Legion of Honour, established the Royal Order of Cambodia with five ranks. The initial orders were awarded to French military commanders who assisted him in establishing his independence. (See Table)
Grades of Order |
Knight Grand Cross (Maha Sirivaddha) |
Knight Grand Officer (Mahasena) |
Knight Commander (Dhipadinda) |
Knight Officer (Sena) |
Chevalier (Assarariddhi) |
As the suzerain of Cambodia, the French colonial government had the authority to award this order, similar to the king. According to the colonial decree of AD 1896, foreign individuals residing in Cambodia for at least three years or those who contributed to the expansion of French colonial territories were eligible to receive this award. In AD 1948, amid the post-war decolonization wave, France abolished Cambodia’s colonial status, turning the Order into a national decoration for Cambodia. In AD 1955, the Kingdom of Cambodia gained independence, breaking away from the French Union.
Subsequently, caught in the Cold War turmoil in Southeast Asia, Cambodia experienced a royal overthrow supported by the United States in AD 1970. During the period of exile, King Norodom Sihanouk continued to confer this medal. Upon his successful return to the country in AD 1975, King Sihanouk resumed the awarding of the medal. The medal later witnessed the chaotic era of the Khmer Rouge and continues to be issued today as Cambodia’s official national decoration.
物件編號: M55
年代: 公元 1864 年
材質: 青銅
XRF分析結果
背面的金屬 | 比例 |
銀 | 7.99% |
金 | 84.40% |
銅 | 7.61% |
尺寸: 勳章 21.27 x 11.95 mm
重量: 1.09 g
來源: 貨幣畫廊 2023
此物件為迷你版的軍官級,外觀為黃金打造的八芒星,上方連結一頂王冠,王冠頂端的金球還有一個小十字架。勳章正面有一紫色琺瑯彩繪的橢圓形,上頭有代表皇室的金色家徽。橢圓形的外邊,環繞著一道兩側夾金邊的紅色琺瑯。
綬帶的寬度為37毫米,原先設計是帶有綠色邊框的紅色綬帶。公元1899年,由於法國殖民政府認為配色跟榮譽軍團勳章過於相似,頒布新法令將顏色改為橙色邊框的白色綬帶。四等的軍官級以上,綬帶飾以一朵30毫米的白色和橙色花飾。公元1948年,擺脫殖民地位的柬埔寨恢復為原先的紅綠配色綬帶。
在東南亞獨特的曼荼羅體系下,一個地方可能同時是不同統治者的附庸,曾在中世紀不可一世的高棉帝國,後續卻淪為越南阮朝和暹羅(泰國)扎克里王朝附庸的柬埔寨正是一個生動例子。自公元1845年起,暹羅和越南對柬埔寨實施聯合保護。
不過很快東南亞的舊秩序,就遭到新勢力法國的挑戰和破壞,不甘為暹羅魁儡的儲君諾羅敦,趁勢尋求新勢力的支持和保護。自1863年7月法國干預下,柬埔寨成為高度自治的保護國。公元1864年2月8日,登基為國王的諾羅敦一世參考法國榮譽軍團勳章,成立擁有五個等級的皇家柬埔寨勳章,首批勳章被授予協助其自立的法軍指揮官們。(見下圖)
勳章的級別 |
大十字級 (Maha Sirivaddha) |
大指揮官級 (Mahasena) |
指揮官級 (Dhipadinda) |
軍官級 (Sena) |
騎士級 (Assarariddhi) |