Legion of Honour, Commander grade, with 4 diamonds!
647,00 €
Lieutenant Poilu presents you with a magnificent French Legion of Honour (Légion d’Honneur in French), Commander (Commandeur) class, of the French Third Republic. This imposing Legion of Honour (2,36 inches in diameter) is made of enameled silver with a gold center featuring the face of Marianne and inscribed with “République Française, 1870” on the front. On the reverse side, there are two crossed French flags, and you can read on the edge of the circle “Honneur et Patrie.”
The presence of diamonds on this Legion of Honour makes it a remarkable piece. Indeed, this order of merit is adorned with three old-cut diamonds positioned on the upper part of the star, and an additional diamond at the top of the upper crown.
Except a small chip visible on the white enamel located on the right branch, this Legion of Honour, is in perfect condition.
Diameter: 2,36 in / 6 cm
Height: 3,54 in / 9cm
Weight: 0,1 lb / 49 grams
The Order of the Legion of Honour: History and Significance
The Order of the Legion of Honour, created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, is the highest honorary distinction in France. A symbol of merit, bravery, and dedication to the nation, it transcends time to remain a symbol of national excellence and recognition of services rendered to the homeland.
The Legion of Honour is primarily a symbol. Each decoration tells the story of those who dedicated their lives to serving France, whether they are military personnel, scientists, artists, or politicians.
The very structure of the insignia carries strong symbolism. The five-pointed star represents the five continents, underscoring the universal reach of the republican values that France seeks to promote. The oak and laurel crown inscribed around the center of the star is a nod to imperial and royal crowns but carries a more republican meaning of victory and honor.
The Creation of the Légion d’Honneur in 1802
The Order of the Legion of Honour was established by a law on May 19, 1802, under the French Consulate, by Napoleon Bonaparte. At a time when monarchy and nobility were abolished, Napoleon wanted to create a distinction accessible to all, regardless of birth or hereditary titles, to reward civil and military merits. He drew inspiration from ancient royal decorations while establishing a new order based on competence, courage, and service to the nation.
The First Consul justified this new institution by explaining:
“I challenge anyone to show me an ancient or modern republic that does not have distinctions. There were distinctions in Rome, and it was the proudest of republics. Distinctions, of all kinds, are the true supports of virtue.”
The Grades of the Legion of Honour
The Order of the Legion of Honour is organized into five grades:
1. Knight (around 79,000 “living” beings)
2. Officer (around 10,000 “living” beings)
3. Commander (maximum quota of 1,250 “living” beings)
4. Grand Officer (maximum quota of 250 “living” beings)
5. Grand Cross (maximum quota of 75 “living” beings)
The Third Republic
This Legion of Honour, Commander class, dates back to the Third Republic. This period from 1870 to 1940 marked a time of institutional stability in France.
