China, People's Republic. A Friendship Medal For Contributions In The Early Days Of Liberation 1958, Cased And Awarded To A Czech Citizen

(解放初期贡献友谊勋章 / Jiěfàng chūqí gòngxiàn yǒuyì xūnzhāng). In silver gilt with red enamels, obverse illustrating the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the centre of a large five-pointed red star, with seven emanating rays between each star point, the star backed by an open-ended wreath of laurel leaves, reverse inscribed in Chinese, measuring 42 mm (w) x 45.7 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, bronze gilt star affixed to its original ribbon with pinback, extremely fine. Accompanied by its Award Document, red paper cover and inscribed in Chinese "The State Council of the People's Republic of China presents a "Friendship Medal" to Františku Šmatlákovi with certificate / January 18, 1958", white paper insert inscribed in typewritten Czech text "Průkaz na odznak "Přátelství". / Soudruhu Františku Šmatlákovi. / Na znamení díků za Vaši upřímnou a vřelou pomoc při bodování socialismu v naší zemi předáváme Vám odznak "Přátelatví". / Předseda / Státní rady ČLR / Čou En-laj" (Certificate for the "Friendship" badge. / Comrade Františku Šmatlákovi. / As a sign of thanks for your sincere and warm help in scoring socialism in our country, we are giving you a badge / Friendship / Chairman / State Council of the PRC (People's Republic of China) / Chou Enlai (Zhou Enlai)", measuring 73 mm (w) x 110 mm (h). In their hardshelled case of issue, wood-framed, exterior in red satin on five sides, white paper bottom, lid illustrating the award and inscribed "Friendship Medal" in Chinese in gold-coloured ink, inside lid in white satin, padded and incorporating two yellow ribbon bands to house the Award Document, base with a recessed medal bed in navy blue felt, measuring 89.7 mm (w) x 127 mm (h) x 30 mm (d), exhibiting a wear spot in the navy blue felt in the medal bed where the pinback makes contact, missing its closure clasp, the exterior without flaws, case near extremely fine.

Footnotes:

1. The Friendship Medal was specially awarded to international friends who made outstanding contributions to China's socialist construction in the early days of Liberation. In this case, it was awarded to a Czech citizen, Františku Šmatlákovi in 1958.

2. Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China serving from October 1, 1949 until his death on January 8, 1976. Zhou served under Chairman Mao Zedong and helped the Communist Party rise to power, later helping consolidate its control, form its foreign policy, and develop the Chinese economy.