France, Fourth Republic. An Order of the Legion of Honour, Miniature Officer by Arthus-Bertrand, c. 1960
(Legion d’honneur). Type IX (1951-1962). An officer decoration in silver gilt presenting a white enamelled Maltese cross ball finials, with green enamelled oak and laurel wreaths in each quadrant, the obverse medallion presents a right facing profile of Marianne in Gold, surrounded by a blue enamelled ring inscribed REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE, the reverse medallion presents two crossed flags in white, blue and red enamels, surrounded by a blue enamelled ring inscribed HONNEUR ET PATRIE, the cross is surmounted by a green enamelled wreath suspension, marked on the suspension ring with makers mark AB & Cie (Arthus-Bertrand), measures 15.45mm (w) x 24.94mm (h – inclusive of integral ball suspension), weighs 3.6 grams, worn on a period ribbon with small rosette, light wear, enamels intact in very fine condition.
France, Republic. A National Order of Merit, Miniature Officer by Arthus-Bertrand, c. 1965
(Ordre National du Mérite). Instituted December 3, 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle. A silver gilt decoration, presenting a six-armed blue enamelled cross with small rays in each quadrant, the obverse medallion features the right facing profile of Marianne surrounded by the inscription REPUBIQUE FRANCAISE, the reverse medallion presents two crossed flags in white, blue and red enamels, surrounded by the inscription ORDRE NATIONAL DU MERITE 3 DEC 63, the cross is surmounted by a wreath suspension, marked on the suspension ring with a makers mark AB & Cie (Arthus-Bertrand), measures 14.98mm (w) x 26.10mm (h – inclusive of integral ball suspension), weighs 3.6 grams, worn on a period ribbon with small rosette, light wear, enamels intact, evident glue residue on reverse medallion, in overall very fine condition.
France, Republic. A Humanitarian Grand Prize of France, Miniature
A bronze gilt decoration presenting a red enamelled Moline cross with gilt wreath segments in each quadrant, the obverse medallion presents a red enamelled cross on a white enamelled field, surrounded by a blue enamelled ring inscribed GRAND PRIX HUMANITAIRE, the reverse is plain, the cross is surmounted by a wreath suspension, measures 15.86mm (w) x 29.28mm (h – inclusive of wreath suspension and integral ball), weighs 2.8 grams, enamels intact, light gilt wear, in extremely fine condition.