A fine early cross in silver with blue, white and green enamels, Gold centrepieces, hallmarked with French silver content hallmark on ring, fasces with blade in centre, dating the order 1809-1819, measuring 37 mm (w) x 57.5 mm (h - inclusive of its crown suspension), with red ball of wool within the crown, on fine delicate original ribbon, minor enamel loss to green laurels and white cross, otherwise near 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).

