France, Napoleonic Kingdom. A Decoration of the Lily, Silver Cross, c.1820
Instituted April 26 1814. In silver, a small white enamelled Maltese cross with small ball finals and Fleur de lys in each quadrant, the obverse medallion presents the left facing portrait surrounded by a blue enamel ring inscribed LOUIS XVIII, the reverse medallion presents a central silver fleur de lys encircled by a blue ring inscribed VIVE LE ROI, the cross is surmounted by a crown and worn on a replacement white ribbon, measures 16.9mm (w) x 32.15mm (h), weighs 3.6 grams, marked with the fasces on the ring denoting Paris silver guarantee for small objects between 1809-1819, loss of enamels to tips of rays on both obverse and reverse, nice patina, remains in very fine condition.

