1870-1951 Issue. An example that stands above, mastery crafted in hand detailed silver with multi dimensional levels of blue, white, and red enamels, special mention and note must be given to the expertly manufactured laurels in which the individual leaves are layered with delicately applied green enamels, gold centre pieces, thirteen old rose-cut genuine diamonds carefully mounted on cross finials, vaulted design, hallmarked with an eagle's head on the tip of the ribbon below the wreathing on the obverse, measuring 2.8 mm (w) x 63 mm (h) inclusive of its wreath suspension, original ribbon, minor enamel loss to laurels, otherwise extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, maker marked "ARTHUS BERTRAND PARIS" on the inside lid, raised platform medal bed, case also extremely 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).