France, Third Republic. An Order of the Legion of Honour, Commander

(Legionne d’Honneur). Instituted May 19 1802. A large and stylistically French decoration with elaborate design in high relief, crafted in silver gilt, presenting a white enamelled five armed Maltese cross with ball finials, segments of elevated green enamelled laurels and oak leaves in each quadrant constituting a surrounded wreath, the obverse medallion presents the left facing head of Marianne, surrounded by a blue ring inscribed REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE, the reverse medallion presenting crossed French flags, surrounded by a blue enamelled ring inscribed HONNEUR ET PATRIE 29 FLOREAL AN X, surmounted by a large enamelled wreath and loop, measures 61.08 mm (w) x 91.9 mm (h - inclusive of wreath and integral ring suspension), weighs 61.1 grams, hallmarked on loop with makers mark as well as boars head denoting French silver quality, accompanied by its full length neck ribbon, with enamel loss common to these stylistic types, remains near very fine.