France, Second Empire. A Legion of Honour, Officer in Gold, c.1865

(Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur). Instituted 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. Multi piece construction in 18k Gold, featuring a five arm white cross with ball finials, green enamelled wreath in each quadrant, the obverse medallion features the right facing portrait of Napoleon surrounded by a blue enamelled ring inscribed NAPOLEON EMPEREUR DES FRANCAIS, the reverse with an eagle, surrounded by a blue ring inscribed HONNEUR ET PATRIE, hallmarked with French eagle head on 6 o'clock ribbon denoting Gold purity of .750 between 1847 and 1919, hallmarked on ring with partial makers mark, measuring at 41.3 mm (w) x 58.0mm (h- to top of crown suspension), and weighing at 22.6 grams, minor wear to enamels to the cross and wreath, small chips on enamels on the crown, worn on period ribbon with large rosette, in near mint condition.