France, Republic. A Pair of Napoleonic Miniatures Decorations & Awards

This lot includes:

1) An Order of the Legion of Honour in Gold, Type I. Issue 4 (1808-1813), featuring a five armed white enameled Maltese cross with ball finials, laurels in each quadrant, center in Gold, the obverse medallion bearing the head of Napoleon facing left, surrounded by a blue enamel ring inscribed NAPOLEON EMP. DES FRANCAIS, the reverse bearing and eagle, surrounded by a blue enamel ring inscribed HONNEUR ET PATRIE, the cross is surmounted by a large crown, missing ribbon, 33.33 mm (h) x 19.63 mm (w), notable chips to the enamels in four arms on obverse and two arms on reverse, green enamels missing to the laurels, very fine. 

2) A Decoration of the Lily, in silver, bearing a hand-etched fleur-de-lis, measures 13.74 mm (h) x 7.58 mm (w), dark patina, worn on a white silk ribbon, extremely fine. 

Footnote: On 19 May 1802, the Legion of Honour was established by a vote of the First Council who approved the formation of the Legion. The Legion was the first European Order that was created as an Order of Merit, based on the principle of equality of birth, and which was open to individuals of all ranks and professions; only merit or bravery counted.

The Decoration of the Lily was established by the brother of Louis XVIII, Count of Artois, the future King Charles X, on April 26, 1814. It was suppressed by Napoleon during the Hundred Days, restored during the Second Restoration, and permanently suppressed on February 10, 1831.