Belgium, Kingdom. A Leopold Order, III. Class Knight, c. 1880

(Orde de Léopold). Instituted August 3rd, 1832. Constructed of 18kt Gold, silver, and multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms and ball finials, along with an oak and laurel wreath in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central circular medallion constructed of 18kt Yellow Gold with a black field bearing a Gold rampant lion, surrounded by a red ring of enamels inscribed “L’Union Fait La Force” (Union Makes Strength), the reverse bearing a similar central medallion, inscribed with the Royal Monogram of “LL RR” also in 18kt Yellow Gold, suspended from a hollow swivel crown using its shortened and slightly faded period original ribbon, marked on the ring but illegible, measuring 40.4 mm (w) x 66.0 mm (l), weighing 20.96 grams, with the green enamels along the laurel and oak wreath chipped and missing in spots, but with the white and red enamels extremely well preserved, in better than very fine condition.