Item number: M238

Year: AD 1850-1899

Material: Silver

Size: 148.4 x 111.8 x 0.6 mm

Weight: 18.25 g

Provenance: Spink 2022

This is a silver award plaque from the Qing Dynasty, presented in the name of the Viceroy of Liangguang, who governed Guangdong and Guangxi. The specific period of issuance is unknown, but it likely dates to the late 19th century during the late Qing Dynasty.

The plaque consists of two parts: the top part features a ruyi (auspicious) design, while the lower part is circular and adorned with round beads around its perimeter. At the top of the plaque is a hole for threading a cord for wearing. Below the hole is a Chinese character “百” (bai) in regular script and the issuing authority “兩廣部堂” (Liangguang Butang), with “Butang” referring to the “Viceroy,” commonly known as the “Governor-General.” The main surface of the plaque bears the large character “賞” (reward) in regular script.

According to research by the National Museum of Taiwan History, the manufacturing process of silver award plaques during the Qing Dynasty involved several steps. First, a thin sheet of a specified size was hammered out. The metal sheet was then placed into a mould and stamped using a hammer and punch to create the text and decorative patterns on the front. Finally, the excess material around the edges was trimmed with a cutting knife, completing the process.

After the Manchus entered China and established their regime, they initially used paper award plaques as a form of encouragement. These plaques were categorised into five grades based on the level of military merit, serving as an important basis for the promotion of military personnel. The award plaques were typically presented by high-ranking officials such as provincial garrison generals, viceroys, and governors, or directly by the imperial court. After the Qianlong period, the award plaques were further linked to the ranks of officials, a practise that continued until the late Qing Dynasty.

物件編號: M238

年代: 公元 1850-1899 年

材質: 銀

尺寸: 148.4 x 111.8 x 0.6 mm

重量: 18.25 g

來源: 斯賓克拍賣行 2022

這是一面清代以統領廣東和廣西的兩廣總督名義頒贈的銀質賞牌。具體的頒發時間不明，大抵應該是在公元十九世紀的清末。賞牌分為牌首及牌面兩個部位，頂部為如意造型，下半部為圓形，周圍以圓珠裝飾。牌首頂端有一穿孔，用以穿繫配戴的繩索。穿孔的底下是一個楷書漢字「百」和頒發機構「兩廣部堂」，「部堂」即世人較為熟知的「總督」。牌面則有一個大寫的楷書漢字「賞」。

按照臺灣歷史博物館的研究，清代的銀質賞牌之製造工藝，先以錘鍱敲製一定面積之薄片，再以錘子和衝頭將金屬片置於模具內沖壓，對正面進行加工製造文字和裝飾紋樣。最後將周圍多餘的部分以裁刀修剪即大抵完工。

滿州人入關建立政權後，先以紙質賞牌作為鼓勵，按照軍功之大小分為五等，作為軍人升等的重要依據。賞牌通常由各省駐防將軍、總督和巡撫等高階官員代表，或由朝廷直接頒發。乾隆以後，賞牌又進一步和官員品級掛鉤，持續延續到清末。