France, III Republic. A Grand Silver Medal of Philanthropic Merit with Case, by Bacqueville

France; Three-piece construction, bronze gilt with red and white enamels, unmarked, 40 mm x 62 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension, original ribbon, intact enamels, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, maker marked "A. Bacqueville PARIS" on the inside lid, lightly soiled medal bed, light wear on the exterior, case better than very fine.

Footnote: The Union Philanthropique des Oeuvres Françaises was founded in Paris in 1937 to encourage charitable works. In 1954, the Union merged with Oeuvre Humanitaire, founded in Toulouse in 1920, and subsequent awards have been made by the Comité de Récompense de l'Oeuvre Humanitaire et du Mérite Philanthropique for voluntary humanitarian, social and philanthropic achievement. For philanthropic merit, the Committee awards the equivalent of a Grand Cross, a Grand Officer, a Commander, an Officer, a Knight, as per this example, and gold, silver and bronze medals. Recent French honours legislation has required non-state awards not to use the ranks of Orders and therefore, the five highest ranks are now entitled Grand Gold Medal Cordon with Cross, Grand Gold Medal with Star, Grand Gold Medal with Ribbon, Grand Gold Medal and Grand Silver Medal, as per this example, even though it is gilt!