(Ordre de l'Étoile africaine). Instituted 1888. 1908-1960 issue. In silver gilt, consisting of an enameled white blue-framed Maltese cross with ball finials, encircled by a tide enameled green palm wreath along the arms, the obverse with a central medallion exhibiting a gilded five-pointed star, with an enameled blue background, surrounded by French inscription TRAVAIL ET PROGRES (Labour and Progress), the reverse centre depicting a gilded royal cypher of Leopold II with an enameled red background, suspended by a period Belgium royal crown in silver gilt, marked by hallmark denoting silver content of .950, along with maker’s mark of Fish Fernand Alfred Antoine, Brussels, firm founded in 1853, measuring 38.69 mm (w) x 63.50 mm (h - inclusive of royal crown), presenting slightly tarnished silver, suspended by original ribbon with rosette and pinback, extremely fine condition.
Footnote: The Order of the African Star was founded by King Leopold II by an unpublished decree on December 30, 1888. It was originally created as an Order of the Congo Free State, but was integrated into the national hierarchy of decorations in Belgium after the Congo Free State ceased to be a private domain of King Leopold II in 1908. The Order was discontinued on June 30, 1960 following the independence of the Congo in the same year.