France, Iii Republic. An Order Of The Legion Of Honour, V Class Knight

(Ordre de la Légion d'Honneur, Chevalier). Instituted in 1802. Both centrepieces in Gold with red, white and blue enamels, mounted to a five-arm cross and wreath base in silver with green and white enamels, hallmarked with an eagle's head on the tip of the ribbon at 6 o'clock on the obverse, maker marked on the left side of the integral suspension, measuring 40.5 mm (w) x 59.5 mm (h) inclusive of its wreath and laterally-pierced ball suspension, dark patina, chipping evident in the white enamels on both tips of the arm at 5 o'clock on both sides, the remaining enamels intact, original ribbon with dual prong pinback, near very fine.

Footnote: The Legion of Honour (AKA National Order of the Legion of Honour) is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. The order's motto is "Honneur et Patrie" ("Honour and Fatherland") and its seat is the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur next to the Musée d'Orsay, on the left bank of the River Seine in Paris. The order is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand-Croix (Grand Cross).