Belgium, Kingdom. An Order of Leopold II, Grand Officer Star, By J.Fonson, c.1910

(Ordre de Léopold II.). Instituted August 24th, 1900. (c. 1910 issue). A five-armed Maltese Cross with multi-faceted surfaces and dual ball finials, along with five gilded rays emanating from the center of the star, the obverse of the cross with a gilded Maltese Cross with ball finials and palm branches between the arms of the cross, bearing a central black medallion with a Crowned Belgian rampant lion facing left, surrounded by a blue ring of enamels inscribed “L’union fait la force” and “Eendracht maakt macht” (Unity is Strength in French and Dutch), topped by a Royal Crown in Gilt, the reverse is plain, with a functional vertical pinback assembly along with dual downward-pointing stays for secure attachment to a uniform, marked “ETABLISSEMENTS J. FONSON BRUXELLES”, measuring 82.64 mm (w) x 83.84 mm (h), weighing 109.3 grams, nicely toned, extremely fine.