France, July Monarchy. A Legion of Honour, Miniature,c.1840

(Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur). Instituted in 1802. (1830-1848). In silver with red, white, blue and green enamels, Gold centrepieces, hallmarked with a boar's head (denoting French manufacture of 900 silver, post 1838) on the ring, obverse centrepiece illustrating the right-facing bust of Henry IV, its centrepiece ring inscribed "HENRY IV" with five stars, reverse centrepiece illustrating crossed French flags, its centrepiece ring inscribed "HONNEUR ET PATRIE" with a single star, measuring 18 mm (w) x 27.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and laterally-pierced ball suspension, both sides of the silver crown have been filed down, chipping evident in the blue enamels on the reverse centrepiece ring, otherwise the enamels are intact, very 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).