Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Eight-Nation Alliance
Military Order of The Dragon
(Full Size)
八國聯軍
軍事之龍勳章
(官方版)
Item number: M277
Year: AD 1908
Material: Gilt and Bronze
Size: 85.0 x 35.9 x 4.0 mm
Weight: 45.5 g
Provenance: Liverpool Medals 2022
In the winter of AD 1900, as stability was being restored in Beijing and northern China with the occupation by the Eight-Nation Alliance, including the United States, the American troops stationed in China, mainly consisting of the 9th and 14th Infantry Regiments, formed the “China Relief Expedition” military fraternal society to commemorate this action.Membership was not limited to American soldiers; allied troops from other nations involved in the Eight-Nation Alliance were also eligible to join.
In AD 1908, this society was formally registered in the United States. On February 13, AD 1932, President Herbert Hoover, then serving as President of the United States, also extended greetings to the association in his capacity as President.
In the same year of its formal registration, the society also established two commemorative medals: the “Military Order of the Dragon” and the “Imperial Order of the Dragon.” This object is a Military Order of the Dragon, designed as a black-lacquered bronze medallion. The obverse features a gilded five-clawed dragon, symbolising China.
The reverse of the medal is engraved with the inscriptions “MILITARY ORDER OF THE DRAGON” and “CHINA 1900” along the outer edge. At the centre, it is inscribed with the recipient’s name and medal number: “CHARLES HENRY SELWYN No. 1348.” According to relevant records, Selwyn served with the rank of major in the 12th Bengal Cavalry of the British Indian Army.
At the top of the medal is a lotus-shaped suspension device, connecting to a yellow ribbon adorned with a black Chinese-style pattern. The ribbon is topped with a clasp designed to resemble the eaves of a traditional Chinese roof.
獎章背面周圍鐫刻銘文「MILITARY ORDER OF THE DRAGON」(軍事之龍勳章)和「CHINA 1900」(中國 1900)。中央鐫刻姓名和獎章編號「CHARLES HENRY SELWYN No. 1348」(查爾斯·亨利·塞爾溫 編號1348)。根據相關的資料,塞爾溫以少校軍職服役於英印軍的第12孟加拉騎兵團。