An early Commander’s Cross of the Order, 95 x 47 mm. GOLD, as a white bordered, red enameled cross with inwardly-curved arms, finely chiseled to the outer edge, red enameled, obverse centre medallion, bearing the golden monogram “FIA” (Franciscus Imperator Augustus), within white enameled outer circlet bearing the black enameled motto “INTEGRITATI ET MERITO”, white enameled reverse centre medallion bearing the black enameled inscription “OP. / REG. / COR. / SUBD.” (“Opes Regum Corda Subditorum” = The Labours of Kings are the joy of the subjects), within golden oak wreath, round upper loop and Imperial Austrian crown suspension of one-sided type, concave to the reverse, its obverse finely chiseled amd separately added pendalia, chiseled loop above the orb as a stylized flower and long, grooved ribbon-ring, with original, neck ribbon.
A beautiful, extremely rare badge of the finest manufacture from ca. 1830–1840, excellent condition and fine patina.
Provenance: the estate of General Charles-Marie-Augustin Count de Goyon (1803–1870). A prominent personality of the military entourage of Louis Napoleon (later Emperor Napoleon III), he began his military career at the Saint-Cyr Academy in 1819 and later being appointed as a Lieutenant of the Chasseurs a Cheval, in 1838, appointed as military attaché in Spain, then in Rome at the Holy See. Returned in France, he served in the Hussards regiments. In 1850 he was appointed as Brigadier General and became commander of the Cavalry school at Saumur, in 1852, he received the honour of becoming adjutant of the now Emperor Napoleon III and the charge of judge to the political prisoners, in this post, he showed himself as human and respectful, animated by true sense of justice. Sent to the Austrian Court in 1853 as observer to the army manoeuvres at Olmütz, he could also meet the Russian Tsar Nicholas I, shortly before the outbreak of the Crimean war. Returned to France, he was appointed as Division General. In 1856, sent to Rome as Commander of the French Troops of Occupation, he maintained respect and devotion to the Pope, also directing the renovation of the fortifications of the harbour city of Civitavecchia. In 1859, he was created Roman Patrice and inscribed in the “Libro d’Oro” of the Vatican Nobility. Appointed as Senator, after further military commands, he retired from the active service, becoming from 1869 the president of the Society for the protection of the military wounded (later, the French Red Cross). I RR!