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Nguyen Dynasty Military Bai Merit Plaque
(Full Size)
阮朝軍事功牌
(官方版)
Item number: M211
Year: AD 1824-1945
The results after XRF testing
Element
Percentage %
Ag
83.38 %
Au
4.09 %
Cu
10.36 %
Fe
1.75 %
Ir
0.207 %
Zn
0.207 %
Material: Brass, Silver and Gold
Size: 77.8 x 45.3 x 0.3 mm
Weight: 20.8 g
Provenance: Beaussant Lefèvre 2024
This is a Bai, a type of merit plaque awarded during the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam. Like medals in Europe, these Bai plaques were given as rewards by the court in the East Asian region, with China at its core.
This Bai merit plaque was awarded to military personnel who demonstrated exceptional bravery in combat. The plaque is rectangular in shape, with a ruyi-shaped protrusion at the top for attaching decorative colourful tassells. The obverse centre is engraved with the Chinese characters “賞功” (Award for Merit), surrounded by a decorative border featuring a geometric pattern resembling the Chinese character “回” (hui).
The reverse side of the plaque shows an impression of the characters and patterns from the obverse side. Additionally, it features the Chinese characters “重五” (Chongwu) formed by a pattern of dots. “Chongwu” refers to the Double Fifth Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, which is one of Vietnam’s significant celebrations. This indicates that the plaque might have been awarded on the Dragon Boat Festival.
The ruyi-shaped protrusion at the top of the plaque is tied with a red hanging cord decorated with gold, red, and blue pom-poms. The other end of the cord is tied to an orange Chinese knot. Below the Chinese knot, three tassells hang, each adorned with a bead and coloured in blue, pink, and beige.
Vietnam has long been influenced culturally and politically by its northern neighbour, China, and adopted the use of Bai merit plaques similar to those prevalent in China as rewards or identity markers. According to historical records, the Nguyen Dynasty first awarded and used merit plaques during the reign of Emperor Gia Long. It was not until AD 1824, under the rule of his successor, Emperor Minh Mang, that the system of merit plaques was formalised.
Bai merit plaques often varied in size and material to indicate different levels of distinction. In addition to precious metals such as gold and silver, ivory and jade were also commonly used materials. The plaques were manufactured by the Ministry of Public Works and then presented by the Noi-Cac (Cabinet) in the name of the emperor. If the recipient held a high official position, the court would place the Bai on a gilded tray and deliver it personally to their residence, accompanied by a yellow parasol for ceremonial significance. In the latter half of the 19th century, as French influence in Vietnam increased, many French colonial officials and soldiers were also awarded merit plaques by the Nguyen Dynasty.