Belgium, Kingdom. An Order of Leopold I, IV Class Officer, Civil Division, in Gold, c. 1870

(Ordre de Léopold/Leopoldsorde). Instituted on July 11th, 1832. (c. 1870 issue). Constructed of 18kt Gold and fine quality manufacture enamels, consisting of a white enameled Maltese Cross with ball finials, with a green enameled laurel and oak wreath tied together at the base in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a rightward-facing rampant lion, surrounded by a broad red enameled ring inscribed with “L’Union Fait la Force” (Unity is Strength) in capitalized lettering in Gold, the reverse bearing a similar central black enameled medallion inscribed with the monogram “LR” for King Leopold I, surrounded by a broad red enameled ring featuring a laurel wreath, suspended from a hollow swivel crown, pierced ball suspension, and swivel ring from a period-original ribbon featuring a rosette, unmarked, measuring 41.7 mm (w) x 67.3 mm (l), weighing 17.61 grams, with only miniscule contact marks in the enamels, but free from chips or flakes of any kind, in better than extremely fine condition.