Queen’s Medal for Native Chiefs

(Full Size, with Case)

1st Class, 1st Type, Elizabeth II

伊莉莎白二世時期

一等女王致贈土著酋長獎章,第一型

(官方版,含盒)

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Item number: M393

Year: AD 1952-1960

Material: Silver-Gilt

Size: Collar 50.0 cm / Badge 67.6 x 50.1 x 3.8 mm / Case 35.5 x 14.0 x 3.0 cm

Weight: 193.2 g

Manufactured by: Royal Mint

Provenance: Aberdeen Medals 2023

This is a “Queen’s Medal for Native Chiefs,” issued between AD 1952 and AD 1960 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. It was awarded by the British Empire to tribal leaders in colonial territories across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific regions. The medal served as a demonstration of imperial authority and to reward and foster alliances with chiefmen who contributed to the governance and stability of these colonies.

The medal was issued in two classes: the first class was made of silver-gilt, while the second class was crafted in silver. It was awarded successively during the reigns of King George V, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II.

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, there were two different versions of the medal. The first type is the large necklace, which is part of the collection here. The second type, introduced in AD 1954, is smaller in size and worn on a yellow-and-white ribbon on the chest. Recipients were given the choice between the two versions. According to records from the Royal Mint, by the 1960s, most recipients opted for the smaller second type.

The medal consists of a large collar worn across the chest, primarily composed of three elements: five-petal floral ornaments, crowns, and Queen Elizabeth II’s monogram “EIIR.” Suspended at the bottom of the collar is an oval-shaped medal. The obverse of the medal features a right-facing bust of Queen Elizabeth II, crowned, with the inscription “QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND” surrounding the portrait. Below the image is a floral motif used as decoration.

The reverse of the medal depicts a fully armed dreadnought battleship, symbolising the military strength of the British Empire. Behind the battleship are two civilian vessels, while the distant horizon reveals rolling hills, palm trees, and an Islamic-style domed building. Above the scene shines a radiant sun. The medal’s border is adorned with symmetrical shields and lion motifs, with two lions flanking and supporting a crown at the top.

This collar is stored in its original black leather case, which features a gilt monogram of Queen Elizabeth II on the exterior. The interior is lined with elegant purple velvet.

After the end of World War II, many indigenous chiefs from Sarawak and North Borneo who assisted the Allies in resisting the Japanese invaders were awarded medals bearing the likenesses of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II as recognition for their contributions. The most notable recipient was Temenggong Koh, a Dayak chief from Sarawak.

物件編號: M393

年代: 公元 1952-1960 年

材質: 銀鍍金

尺寸: 項鍊 50.0 cm / 獎章 67.6 x 50.1 x 3.8 mm / 盒子 35.5 x 14.0 x 3.0 cm

重量: 193.2 g

製造地: 皇家造幣廠

來源: 亞伯丁獎章 2024

這是一枚公元1952至1960年,英國王后伊莉莎白二世在位期間,大英帝國針對非洲、亞洲和太平洋地區,以部落為主的殖民地為對象頒發的「女王致贈土著酋長獎章」,以此展示國威以及獎勵和拉攏對於統治有所貢獻的頭人。

該款獎章共有兩個等級,一等的材質為銀鍍金,二等則為銀質。先後在喬治五世、喬治六世和伊莉莎白二世,上述三位君王的統治期間頒發。伊莉莎白二世時期有兩種不同的版本,第一型是本館收藏的大型項鍊,另一種是公元1954年起,尺寸較小且以黃白相間的綬帶配戴於胸前的第二型。獲獎者得以自行決定要哪種版本,根據皇家造幣廠留下的紀錄,公元1960年代多數人已選擇尺寸較小的第二型。

獎章為一條配掛於胸前的大項鍊,項鍊主要由三種元素組成,即五瓣花飾、王冠和伊莉莎白二世的頭銜縮寫「EIIR」。項鍊最下方懸掛一枚蛋型的獎章,獎章正面為伊莉莎白二世頭戴王冠的右側胸像,人像周圍以英文標示「QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND」(伊莉莎白二世),下方有一個花草圖騰作為裝飾。

獎章背面是一艘全副武裝,象徵大英帝國軍事力量的無畏級戰艦。戰艦的後方還有兩艘民用船隻,遠處的地平線能看到起伏的山丘和棕櫚樹,還有一棟伊斯蘭圓頂風格的建築,最上方有一顆光芒四射的太陽。而獎章的周圍以對稱的盾牌和獅子圖騰裝飾,兩隻獅子一同擁簇頂端的王冠。

這一條項鍊收藏於原廠的黑色皮革收納盒,盒子表面有伊莉莎白二世的燙金花押,內襯則是典雅的紫色絲絨。

第二次世界大戰結束後,許多在戰爭期間協助盟軍對抗日本入侵者的砂拉越和北婆羅洲的土著酋長獲得喬治六世和伊莉莎白二世版本的獎章作為獎勵,最有名的得獎者是砂拉越的達雅人酋長Temenggong Koh。

更多相關訊息請參考:

https://www.aberdeenmedals.com/shop.php?code=24354

https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2018/06/376156/greatest-dayak-leader

https://www.identifymedals.com/database/medals-by-country/great-britain-medals/the-kings-medal-for-native-chiefs/

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