Breast Badge, 38x29 mm., GOLD, in the form of a red enameled, 4-pointed, openwork star with ball-finials, superimposed to a similar, yellow enameled one, obverse centre medallion with embossed coat of arms of Bolivia and above, the inscription “REPUBLICA BOLIVARIANA”, on top, a hinged, green enameled horizontally arranged laurel wreath, with loop and round ring, the reverse, identical to the obverse, but the centre medallion bearing the embossed inscription “AL/ AMIGO / DE LOS LI / BRES M.lA / FOREST”, with original ribbon at the Bolivian colours.
A magnificent, almost unknown decoration, most probably made to be presented to the French Consul M. La Forest, who supported the struggle for independence of Bolivia, during the fierce wars between the South American states in the mid 19th Century, excellent condition and quality.
note: this decoration is not even quoted in L. Ross – A.M. Stahl: “From a Thankful Nation”, Princeton Univ. Press, 2014. I RR!