***SOLD***

Offered is an original French Legion of Honour, 2nd Republic (1852 to 1870), 18k Gold Officer’s award. Very good enamels overall, with some repair to two of the tips, generally very fine enamel to leaves on wreath and both faces. 18k Gold hallmarked to base of laurel wreath (reverse). Rosette remains to ribbon. A very nice example of this rare quality made piece.

The Legion of Honour, full name National Order of the Legion of Honour (French: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), is the highest French order for military and civil merits, established 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte.

There are five classes in the Legion of Honour: Chevalier (Knight): minimum 20 years of public service or 25 years of professional activity with "eminent merits" Officier (Officer): minimum 8 years in the rank of Chevalier Commandeur (Commander): minimum 5 years in the rank of Officier     Grand Officier (Grand Officer): minimum 3 years in the rank of Commandeur Grand Croix (Grand Cross): minimum 3 years in the rank of Grand Officier  The "eminent merits" required to be awarded the order require the flawless performance of one's trade as well as doing more than ordinarily expected, such as being creative, zealous and contributing to the growth and well-being of others.  The order has a maximum quota of 75 Grand Cross, 250 Grand Officers, 1,250 Commanders, 10,000 Officers and 113,425 (ordinary) Knights. As of 2010, the actual membership was 67 Grand Cross, 314 Grand Officers, 3,009 Commanders, 17,032 Officers and 74,384 Knights. Appointments of veterans of World War II, French military personnel involved in the North African Campaign and other foreign French military operations, as well as wounded soldiers, are made independently of the quota.

Members convicted of a felony (crime in French) are automatically dismissed from the order. Members convicted of a misdemeanour (délit in French) can be dismissed as well, although this is not automatic.  Wearing the decoration of the Légion d'honneur without having the right to do so is a serious offence. Wearing the ribbon or rosette of a foreign order is prohibited if that ribbon is mainly red, like the ribbon of the Legion of Honour. French military personnel in uniform must salute other military members in uniform wearing the medal, whatever the Légion d'honneur rank and the military rank of the bearer. This is not mandatory with the ribbon. In practice, however, this is rarely done.  There is not a single, complete list of all the members of the Legion in chronological order. The number is estimated at one million, including about 2,900 Grand Cross.