Order of Francis I

Commander’s Cross, 64×40 mm., GOLD, approx. 53 g., with white enameled arms, flanked by excellently chiseled, engraved and pierced fleurs de lys; obverse centre medallion with highly polished royal monogram on finely pebbled ground within convex, green enameled oak wreath with red enameled acorns and ribands; gold-bordered, night-blue enameled outer circlet with motto “DE REGE OPTIME MERITO” in golden lettering; reverse medallion with night-blue enameled inscription “FRANCISCVS I IINSTITVIT MDCCCXXIX” on brightly-polished gold ground, within separately-made thick, green enameled oak wreath enriched by red enameled acorns and golden, crossed ribbons; typical crown of “Neapolitan” type, with enameled “jewels”; upper, polished orb, with round suspension ring; original,, silk neck ribbon; with an old, paper bearing a handwritten note in French calligraphy, stating the provenance of the piece to a certain “C.A.L. Peyssand”.
A beautiful piece of uncommon, luxurious manufacture; excellent condition. I R!