France, Third Republic. A Legion D'Honneur, Knight, c.1880, with Diamonds

(1870-1951 Issue); Of extremely high quality, in silver with blue, white, red and green enamels, Gold centrepieces, along with fifteen old rose-cut genuine diamonds, hallmarked with a boar's head on the tip of the ribbon below the wreathing on the obverse, 45.7 mm (w) x 65.8 mm (h) inclusive of its wreath suspension, original ribbon with safety pin attachment, minor chipping evident in the white enamels on the reverse of the arm at 2 o'clock, otherwise the enamels are intact, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, maker marked "BOULLANGER 5. Rue Daunou PARIS" on the inside lid, raised platform medal bed, case also extremely fine.

Footnote: The Legion of Honour (AKA National Order of the Legion of Honour) is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. The order's motto is "Honneur et Patrie" ("Honour and Fatherland") and its seat is the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur next to the Musée d'Orsay, on the left bank of the River Seine in Paris. The order is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand-Croix (Grand Cross).