France, II Empire. A Legion D'Honneur, Reduced Size, c.1860

Ordre National de la Légion d'honneur. Instituted in 1802. In silver with red, white, blue and green enamels, Gold centrepieces, laterally-pierced ball suspension, hallmarked with a boar's head on the tip of the ribbon on the obverse, red embroidery evident inside the crown, measuring 30 mm (w) x 51.2 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, chipping evident in multiple locations in the white enamelled arms on both sides, in the blue enamels on both centrepiece rings, in the green enamels on the wreath and on the jewel on the reverse of the crown, frayed original ribbon, 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).