(Ordre de l'Étoile africaine). Instituted 1888. 1908-1960 issue. Constructed of silver, consisting of a ball-tipped enameled white Maltese cross with enameled blue frame, encircled by a tide enameled green palm wreath along the arms, the obverse with a central medallion in silver gilt featuring a five-pointed star with enameled blue background, surrounded by an engraved French inscription TRAVAIL ET PROGRES (Labour and Progress), the reverse centre also in silver gilt depicting the royal cypher of Leopold II on an enameled red background, suspended by a period royal crown in silver, presenting unreadable Belgium hallmark together with maker’s mark of Fish Fernand Alfred Antoine, Brussels, firm founded in 1853, measuring 39.09 mm (w) x 62.69 mm (h - inclusive of royal crown), presenting toned silver on the crown, suspended by original breast ribbon with 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Footnote: The Order of the African Star was founded by King Leopold II by an unpublished decree on December 30, 1888.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.