Belgium, Kingdom. An Order of Leopold, Officer with Swords, c.1918

(Leopoldsorde). Instituted on July 11, 1832. Type II. Military Division. A ball-tipped enameled white Maltese Cross with gilded edges in silver gilt, featuring tied enameled green wreath of laurel and oak branches, with two surmounted swords, denoting military issue, beneath of period royal Belgium crown suspension, both in silver gilt, obverse centre with a superposed crowned Belgium lion on an enameled black background, encircled on an enameled red border with the inscription L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Strength in Unity), the reverse centre featuring the monogram of Leopold I on an enameled black background, circumscribed on ornamented red border, measuring 40.10 mm (w) x 75.78 mm (h - inclusive of crown suspension), with minor cracked white enamels on the 9 o’clock arms, with slight gilt loss, suspending by original purple neck ribbon with rosette, extremely good.

Footnote: The Order of Leopold was established on July 11, 1832, by the Belgian Parliament. It was named to honour King Leopold I, and it has remained the highest-ranking decoration in Belgium since its creation. It is conferred upon Belgian citizens and foreigners in recognition of brave military service and other meritorious services rendered to the state.