4月底法国博桑·勒菲弗尔拍卖行(Beaussant Lefèvre & Associés)举办了一场安南阮朝奖章顶级集藏的专场拍卖,藏品来自法国收藏家米歇尔·贡蒂尔(Michel Gontier)。
For most numismatic collectors in China, in addition to knowing that the gold and silver coins of the Annam Nguyen Dynasty doubled as medals, they may not be very familiar with the field of Annam Nguyen Dynasty medals.
Lot 12 The Great Southern Dragon Star awarded to French politician Albert Sarraut when he was Minister of the Colonies
In addition to the Da Nan Dragon Star, which was created by Emperor Dong Khanh in 1886 to imitate the Western-style medal, there are four categories of objects that can be classified in the field of medals of the Annam Nguyen Dynasty, commonly known as "Chi Pei Qian Plaque".
Lot 163 嗣德背勤谨金磬
"Khanh" is a medallion that imitates the shape of an ancient musical instrument, mostly made of gold, so it is also called "Kim Khanh", and there are also silver-plated or copper-plated gold-plated materials, and the royal family uses jade. The history of the golden chime can be traced back to at least the period of Šidō (1847-1883), and there are also real objects with the name of the Ming Dynasty, but there are different opinions on whether they were made during the Ming Dynasty (1820-1841). The early gold chime pattern was relatively simple, and the later one added more complex ornaments such as dragon patterns.
Lot 196 Three gold chimes with original box
Lot 195 In the third year of the Restoration (1909), three golden chimes were issued
A certificate will be issued in conjunction with the golden chime, and in the later stage, in addition to the certificate written in Chinese characters, there will also be a certificate in French.
Lot 216 New Year's Eve Qiong Yao Forever Good Gold Pei
The name "Pei" (Boi) is supposed to come from the jade pendant of ancient women's ornaments, and the "Pei" created in the first year of Chengtai (1889) was used as a reward for women, and the positioning is similar to that of the golden chime, and it is often called "Jin Boi" (Jin Boi). The gold peedo is oval or rectangular, and is also available in silver-plated and gold-plated materials. Corresponding to the double dragon pattern of the late golden chime, the double phoenix pattern is mostly used.
Lot 53 绍治通宝万世永赖
"Tien" is naturally a gold and silver coin of the Annam Nguyen Dynasty that was used as a medal, and it was often perforated at the top and bottom of the coin in order to wear it.
Lot 48 Dragon Silver Coin & Certificate
This rare certificate awarded by Pierre Albert Ferré in 1880 gives the name of the silver coin of the year. From this point of view, the gold and silver coins presented to Spain as a state gift by the envoy of Annam during his visit to Europe in the 30th year of Side may not necessarily bear the name of the dynasty of Sideben, but may also be left behind during the Ming Dynasty or the Shaozhi period.
An official who wore a gold chime with money
Lot 164 is a set of five blessings and silver coins
In actual use, there is no shortage of cases where gold chimes and money are worn together. The Golden Chime of Five Blessings and the Silver Coin of Eternal Reliance, awarded to the French statesman Félix Faure in the first year of Jianfu (1884), is a rare example of a set of gold chime and silver coins.
Governor of Thanh Hoa wearing an identity badge on a postcard
Lot 92 Ivory plaque of the Governor of Hai Duong
As for the last "card" (Bai), it once appeared in the movie "Indochina", which was born from the waist card used as an identity document in ancient times. The "pai" of the Annam Nguyen Dynasty is believed to have been created by the Gia Long Dynasty, and was originally used only as a certificate of entry, but later evolved into a status symbol. Ivory was mostly used by ordinary officials, but gold or jade was also used by high-ranking officials and members of the royal family.
Strictly speaking, these "cards" are only status symbols and not medals for awards, but they are often juxtaposed with the above categories because collectors of Annam Nguyen Dynasty medals have traditionally been considered part of their collection.
Lot 273 Albert Salo Album
In addition to the Chi Pei Qian Plaque and the Great Southern Dragon Star, there are also a number of materials related to the study of the medals of the Annam Nguyen Dynasty, including certificates, decrees and related photographs, especially Lot 273, a photo album of Albert Salo when he was the Governor of French Indochina, which includes a large number of unpublished photographs of Emperor Kai Dinh and members of the royal family.
Of the 273 lots in the sale, 269 were sold, with only 4 unbid. The total price of the transaction, excluding the buyer's commission, amounted to almost 1.5 million euros, more than three times the total amount of the lower valuation of around 440,000 euros. The most sought after are the many royal treasures scattered in the hands of Emperor Bao Dai's eldest son, Nguyen Phuc Bao Long, nearly 30 years ago, accounting for most of the top 10 in terms of transaction value.
Lot 134 Taiping Tianzi Gold Medal
Unsurprisingly, the first place in the auction catalogue was the Taiping Tianzi gold medal on the cover of the auction catalogue, with an estimate of 80,000 to 120,000 euros, and a hammer of 290,000 euros. The gold medal has a fine dragon pattern, and in addition to being inlaid with diamonds, it is also decorated with pearls with the words "Taiping Tianzi" and "Baoda".
Lot 273 Photograph of Emperor Qiding
This gold medal was made during the period of Emperor Qiding, for the emperor's own use of the Nguyen Dynasty, the photo of Emperor Qiding on the right chest is wearing this "Taiping Tianzi" gold medal, the back of the "Bao Da" is in 1925 after the Emperor Bao ascended the throne after the transformation.
Lot 134 Gold Medal for the Crown Prince of the East Palace
In second place was the gold medal of the crown prince of the East Palace, with an estimate of 20,000 to 30,000 euros and a hammer price of 190,000 euros. The gold medal is also set with diamonds and embellished with pearls, and the front and back are written "The Crown Prince of the East Palace" and "Bao Da Xun Ci".
Lot 260 Nguyen Phuc Bao Long photo
The Dong Palace Crown Prince Gold Medal was made by Emperor Bao Da for his eldest son, Nguyen Phuc Bao Long, who was canonized as the Crown Prince of Dong Palace and wears it in many of his photos.
Lot 132 受天永命玉磬
In third place was the Jade Chime of Eternal Destiny, with an estimate of 30,000 to 40,000 euros and a hammer price of 100,000 euros. The inscriptions on the front and back of this jade chime are "Eternal Life by Heaven" and "Treasure of Qiding".
Lot 273 Photograph of Emperor Qiding
Photograph of Emperor Bao the Great shortly after his accession to the throne
As the text on the jade chime indicates, this jade chime was also used by the Nguyen Dynasty emperor himself, originally worn by Emperor Qiding, and passed on to the successor Emperor Bao Da after his death.
Lot 133 Sun, Moon, Star, Sea, Golden Chime
The fourth place in the transaction price was the Sun, Moon and Xinghai Golden Chime, with an estimate of 20,000 to 30,000 euros, and it was hammered for 60,000 euros. The inscriptions on the front and back of this golden chime are "Sun, Moon and Star Sea" and "Gift", which were also used by members of the royal family of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Lot 136 凤凰同心玉佩
Lot 261 Photograph of Empress Nam Phuong
In fifth place was the Phoenix Tongxin Jade Pendant, with an estimate of €4,000 to €6,000 and a hammer price of €40,000. This jade pendant is a phoenix flying on the front and "Tongxin" on the back, which is the jade pendant of Empress Nam Phuong, the wife of Emperor Bao, who is also the biological mother of Nguyen Phuc Bao Long, the crown prince of the Eastern Palace.
Lot 126 顺美承庥玉磬
In sixth place was the Shunmei Chengyu Chime, with an estimate of €4,000 to €6,000 and a hammer price of €38,000. The words on both sides of this jade chime are "Shao Zhi Treasure" and "Shun Mei Cheng Xu", which also flowed out of the hands of Nguyen Phuc Bao Long.