France, Second Empire. An Order of the Legion of Honour, Reduced Knight, c.1860

(Legionne d’Honneur). Instituted May 19 1802. Type VII. Second Empire. (1852-1870). A beautiful decoration, in silver, a white enamelled Maltese Cross with ball finials, green enamelled laurel and oak leaves in each quadrant, the obverse medallion in Gold presenting the right facing portrait of Luis Napoleon surrounded by the inscription NAPOLEON EMP. DES FRANCAIS in a blue enamel ring, the reverse medallion featuring an eagle with spread wings, surrounded by a blue enamelled ring inscribed HONNEUR ET PATRIE, the decoration is surmounted by a silver crown with eight half arches bearing eagle features, marked at 6 o’clock with a boars head denoting 1838-1962 French manufacture and 800 silver fineness, 23.3 mm (w) x 36.5mm (h - inclusive of cross adorned integral ball), weighs 5.77 grams, worn on red ribbon, enamel flacks to white arms most notably on the obverse 4 o’clock arm, the center medallion slightly loose, dark patina, a scarce decoration in very fine condition.