Item number: M143

Year: AD 1995-2024 (present)

Material: Gold, Cupronickel and Enamel

The results after XRF testing

Size: 70.1 x 80.5 x 16.0 mm

Weight: 90.25 g

Provenance: Aberdeen Medals 2022

This is the Commander class Royal Order of Cambodia, which features an octagram design and is worn with a neck ribbon. The suspension above the order is in the form of a crown. In AD 1993, Cambodia reverted to a monarchy, and in AD 1995, the western-style crown was replaced with a native Cambodian Mukuta crown version. At the centre of the obverse side is an oval-shaped purple enamel decoration made of cupronickel with gilt. On top of the oval is the royal emblem in gold, surrounded by a circle of red enamel and adorned with gold lines as decoration.

The order is suspended from a fixed ring suspension and was initially attached to a red ribbon with green stripes on both sides. However, in AD 1899, due to the French colonial government’s concern that the colour scheme was too similar to that of the Legion of Honour order, a new decree was issued to change the ribbon to white with an orange border. Officers of the rank of Fourth Class and above had a white-orange floral decoration on their ribbons. It wasn’t until AD 1948, when Cambodia gained independence from colonial rule, that the original red-green ribbon colour scheme was restored.

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 medals were awarded to French military commanders who assisted him in establishing his independence.

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: M143

年代: 公元 1995-2024 年 (迄今)

材質: 黃金, 白銅和琺瑯

XFR分析結果

尺寸: 70.1 x 80.5 x 16.0 mm

重量: 90.25 g

來源: 亞伯丁獎章 2022

此物件為指揮官級的王家勳章，其外觀為八芒星，並以領綬配掛於脖子上。勳章上方連結的王冠狀懸掛，為公元1993年國體再度恢復為君主制的柬埔寨，於公元1995年，從西式王冠改成柬埔寨本土的穆庫塔王冠版本。正面的中央是一紫色琺瑯彩繪的橢圓形，其材質為白銅鍍金。橢圓形上頭有代表王室的金色家徽，橢圓形的外側環繞一圈紅色琺瑯，並且還有金色線條作為裝飾。

勳章以固定環形懸掛銜接綬帶，最早是兩側帶有綠色豎條的紅色綬帶。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，綬帶飾以一朵白橙色的花飾。直到公元1948年擺脫殖民地位的柬埔寨才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。

作為柬埔寨的宗主國，法國殖民政府比照國王有頒發該勳章的權力。根據公元1896年的殖民地法令，在柬埔寨有效居留至少三年，或對於擴張法國殖民地有功的外籍人士，皆有獲頒該獎勵的資格。公元1948年，在戰後的去殖民浪潮影響下，法國先取消柬埔寨的殖民地地位，使該勳章成為柬埔寨的國家勳章。公元1955年，柬埔寨王國脫離法蘭西聯邦成為獨立的國家。

隨後捲入東南亞冷戰漩渦的柬埔寨，公元1970年皇室遭到美國支持的軍方推翻，西哈努克親王為首的王室在流亡期間仍持續授予該勳章。公元1975年成功返國的西哈努克親王恢復勳章的頒發，該勳章後續見證赤色高棉的混亂時期，直到今日仍作為柬埔寨的法定國家勳章發放。