Order of the Black Star of BENIN

Grand Cross Star with brilliants: 88,5 mm., gilt Silver rays, completely set with brilliant-cut white pastes, the centre in gold with blue enameled borders and the arms’ fields with applied sections also set with white pastes, golden rays between the arms, the reverse in gold with broad pin and two hooks.
An extremely rare “special” class of this order, founded in 1899, then enclosed in the French system of colonial awards in 1894, this order was awarded for special merits in the development of French Western Africa. I RR!
Excellent quality and imposing appearance, very fine condition.