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The Colonial Medal
(Full Size, With Chine Clasp)
2nd Type
殖民地獎章
(官方版, 附中國銘牌)
第二版
Item number: M221
Year: AD 1914-1962
Material: Silver
Size: 92.2 x 29.6 x 2.0 mm
Weight: 20.4 g
Provenance: Champion Macau Auction 2024
This medal is the Colonial Medal, initiated in AD 1893 by France, awarded to individuals serving in French colonies or protectorates and participating in colonial military actions. The depicted artefact has one clasp bearing the French word “Chine,” denoting the colonial territory.
The medal is a circular silver medal. On the obverse side, it features a profile portrait of Marianne, the national symbol of the French Republic, wearing a helmet and a laurel wreath. The inscription “République française” (French Republic) encircles the portrait on both sides. Below the medal, there is a small inscription bearing the name of the French sculptor Georges Lemaire, who designed the medal. On the reverse side, half of the Earth is depicted resting on an anchor, with the inscription “Medaille Coloniale” in French below, indicating the name of the medal as the Colonial Medal. The suspension of the medal and ribbon is designed with laurel branches. The ribbon itself alternates between blue and white, with one clasp bearing the inscription “Chine” attached to it.
On June 6, AD 1962, France issued a decree renaming the “Colonial Medal” to the “Overseas Medal,” a designation that remains effective as of today(AD 2024).
This medal belongs to the second official type manufactured by France between AD 1914 and AD 1962, notable for its single-sided suspension.
The attached “Chine” clasp on this medal is unofficial, produced by the Parisian manufacturer Arthus Bertrand, which is also the official maker of the Legion of Honour in France. Beginning with the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki in AD 1895 until AD 1939, veterans who served in China began wearing colonial medals with such “Chine” clasp.
獎章的外型為圓形銀質獎章,獎章的正面為法蘭西共和國的國家象徵「瑪麗安娜」的側面肖像,頭戴頭盔與月桂花環,左右兩側環繞有「République française (法蘭西共和國)」的字樣。獎章下方有小字刻有設計此獎章的法國雕塑家「 Georges Lemaire 」的名字。背面則為東半面的地球疊放在錨上,下方以法文刻有「Medaille Coloniale」的字樣,其意為此獎章的名稱殖民地獎章。獎章與綬帶的懸掛處以月桂枝葉作為設計,綬帶的顏色藍白相間,另外綬帶還掛有「Chine (中國)」字樣銘牌。