Order of St. Ferdinand and of the Merit

A Prince sized Grand Cross Breast Star with six chiseled and pierced rays, alternated by six fleurs- de-lys also finely chiseled and pierced; centre medallion in gold with applied, enameled image of the crowned St. Ferdinand in armour and royal robes, holding a sword and a green enameled wreath; blue enameled outer circlet with applied motto “FIDEI ET MERITO” in chiseled gold and laurel branches, jointed by five flowers; diamond-chiseled outer border, also made of gold; bright-polished reverse, with concave round counter-medallion; broad, vertical pin and two side hooks, maker’s mark escutchon of Lemaitre, Paris. An extremely rare, breast star for a young prince, of best French quality.
Dim.: the star 63,0 mm. I RR!