Order of St. Ferdinand and of the Merit

Breast Star of the Order, 80 mm, with chiseled and pierced rays in Silver, flanked by six chiseled fleurs-de-lys, centre medallion in gold with polychrome enameled image of the saint on polished ground, within outer circled whose lower end is in form of a blue enameled scroll, bearing the order’s motto “FIDEI ET MERITO”, gilt, polished reverse, fitted with thin, vertical pin and two side-hooks, the counter-medallion, with maker’s escutcheon of Lemaitre, Paris. A beautiful, highly convex star of typical, French quality, from 1855 ca., excellent condition. I R!