France, IV and V Republics. An Order of the Arts and the Letters, I Class Commander

(Ordre des Arts et des Lettres). Instituted in 1957. Five-piece construction, in bronze gilt with green and white enamels, unmarked, the base consisting of an eight-pointed green-enamelled asterisk, obverse centrepiece with the conjoined scripted letters "A" and "L", the centrepiece ring inscribed "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE", reverse centrepiece illustrating the left-facing bust of Marianne, the centrepiece ring inscribed "ORDRE DES ARTS ET DES LETTRES", measuring 55.3 mm (w) x 82 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, scattered gilt wear evident on the loop, on its original full-length neck ribbon but missing a tie at one end, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Arts and the Letters is an order of France established on May 2, 1957 by the Minister of Culture. Its supplementary status to the Order of National Merit (Ordre national du Mérite) was confirmed by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963. Its purpose is the recognition of significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields. Its origin is attributed to the Order of Saint Michael (established on August 1, 1469), as acknowledged by French government sources. To be considered for the award, French government guidelines stipulate that citizens of France must be at least thirty years old, respect French civil law, and must have "significantly contributed to the enrichment of the French cultural inheritance". Membership is not, however, limited to French nationals; recipients include numerous foreign luminaries. Foreign recipients are admitted into the Order "without condition of age". The Order has three grades: Commander (Commandeur), medallion worn on a necklet - up to 20 recipients a year; Officer (Officier), medallion worn on a ribbon with rosette on left breast - up to 60 recipients a year; and Knight (Chevalier), medallion worn on a ribbon on left breast - up to 200 recipients a year.