Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Peking Siege Commemoration Medal 1900, bronze, 57mm, impressed on the edge ‘Jeanne Isabelle Piry. (14 ans)’, contained in its J. Taylor Foot, Medallist, fitted case of issue, the lid embossed in gold letters ‘Peking Siege 1900 J. I. Piry’, small edge bruise, otherwise extremely fine and rare £1500-2000

The Peking Siege Commemoration Medal is a most interesting piece and rarely encountered. They were struck at the instigation of Mr Arthur D. Brent, an employee of the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank, who was himself present throughout the siege and whose medals were sold in these rooms on 25 February 1998. A limited number only were struck for those actually present at the siege.

Jeanne Isabelle Piry was the eldest daughter of Théophlie Piry (1851-1915), French diplomat and ambassador in Asia. He and his family (wife, two girls and one son) were housed in the British Embassy during the siege of the Peking legations in the summer of 1900. In 1901 Théophile Piry was appointed Postal Secretary, the highest position within the Imperial Chinese Post Office, which he held until his death in 1915. His younger daughter Nalka eloped to Russia with George E. Morrison, the London Times correspondent during the siege. Jeanne Isabelle Piry married in 1913 Arthur Blackburn (later Sir, K.C.M.G., C.B.E.), British diplomat and Consul in China 1908-44. Lady Blackburn (née Piry) died at Hythe, Kent, on 9 July 1950.

See Lot 975 for the miniature dress medals worn by Theophile Piry.