A “jewelled” Knight’s Badge, 62x46mm in gilt Silver on a GOLD base, the obverse arms, profusely à-jour set with diamonds; anked by the laurel and oak leaves, also set with emeralds; polished centre medallion in rose gold with female head in yellow gold, blue enamelled medallion’s outer circlet, with inscription “REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE 1870” in gold; the reverse with applied, centre medallion in gold and enamels, with separately-made and applied, crossed ag and standard; the hinged, upper oak and laurel wreath in gold, set with emeralds and engraved reverse; richly diamond-set suspension ring and original, silk ribbon with rosette, in case of issue by « E. Bidal & Piat, Paris », with gilt initials of the recipient on the lid.
A very rare piece, of excellent manufacture extremely ne condition. with 59 diamonds for a total of 2.105 ct.
Note: in the 1900 catalogue of Messrs. Arthus-Bertrand, Paris, this type of Of cer’s Cross, was indicated as the “Modèle très riche”, and available at a retail price of 3.000 (Gold) Francs, and an augmentation of 200 Franks for the emeralds-set foliage.