1st Empire Legion of Honour- small collection

[Graf]

Her is a small collection from 1st Empire

 

- 2nd Type Full size with fixed crown model

-2nd Type 1/2 Size with mobile crown

-3rd Type full size   Note it is framed as part of a navy officer grouping from 1st Empire and Monarchy Period

-4th Type1/2 Size  with typical for this type balls at the and of the arms

 

I am still chasing the First Type

[Graf]

-3rd Type full size modified to Monarchy period

[Graf]

4th Type 1/2 size modified to Monarchy period  Officer in Gold

[Graf]

latest addition

1/2 size an Officer  in gold -4th  type

There are two partial, difficult to read, marks on the ribbon ring

 

 

 

Edited May 20, 2023 by Graf

[Jaybo]

Hello,

What say the experts as to the authenticity of this piece. The centers and crown look like 1st Empire but I haven't seen a period piece with a ribbon bow at the base like this one. I am told there is a diamond maker's mark on the back of that bow. Your insight would be greatly appreciated.

If Bison is out there, I have sent him a similar inquiry. Thank you!

Jay

[Graf]

1 hour ago, Jaybo said:

Hello,

What say the experts as to the authenticity of this piece. The centers and crown look like 1st Empire but I haven't seen a period piece with a ribbon bow at the base like this one. I am told there is a diamond maker's mark on the back of that bow. Your insight would be greatly appreciated.

If Bison is out there, I have sent him a similar inquiry. Thank you!

Jay

For me it is Presidency period As General  rule all First Empire LOH do not have "ribbon bow" on the bottom of the cross.

Also the Crown is typical  Presidency Period 1848-1852 Also the central medallions of all First Empire LOH (except the miniatures ans some 1/2 size Orders) are three parts design

Commander Presidency Period The central medallions are similar as the one you listed

Edited October 27, 2023 by Graf

[Jaybo]

Thank you so much. I thought that could be the case.

[Graf]

1 hour ago, Jaybo said:

Thank you so much. I thought that could be the case.

Welcome I hope it helped  The  diamond shape maker marks might have the initials of the maker If you have the cross you can look with magnification if the seller has it you can ask him to look for letters within the mark In my experience the First Empire LOH are rare maker marked Mainly the hallmark is present on the ribbon ring as the one I listed above

All knight crosses from this period are Silver and anything from Officer and up are -18 Carat Gold

 

While on the topic - there are LOH, which some classify as "100" days model They are hybrids between the 1st Empire and Monarchy Periods crosses  The 1/2 size LOH on the middle of the pictures bellow. Some of those crosses have 1st Empire central medallions. In my opinion it was very turbulent period and parts were quickly replaced and reversed depending of  who was the Ruler for the moment

Any way I do not believe that your LOH is from this Period

I hope more members will reply with their knowledge and opinion

 

Regards

[Jaybo]

11 hours ago, Graf said:

Welcome I hope it helped  The  diamond shape maker marks might have the initials of the maker If you have the cross you can look with magnification if the seller has it you can ask him to look for letters within the mark In my experience the First Empire LOH are rare maker marked Mainly the hallmark is present on the ribbon ring as the one I listed above

All knight crosses from this period are Silver and anything from Officer and up are -18 Carat Gold

 

While on the topic - there are LOH, which some classify as "100" days model They are hybrids between the 1st Empire and Monarchy Periods crosses  The 1/2 size LOH on the middle of the pictures bellow. Some of those crosses have 1st Empire central medallions. In my opinion it was very turbulent period and parts were quickly replaced and reversed depending of  who was the Ruler for the moment

Any way I do not believe that your LOH is from this Period

I hope more members will reply with their knowledge and opinion

 

Regards

 

11 hours ago, Graf said:

Welcome I hope it helped  The  diamond shape maker marks might have the initials of the maker If you have the cross you can look with magnification if the seller has it you can ask him to look for letters within the mark In my experience the First Empire LOH are rare maker marked Mainly the hallmark is present on the ribbon ring as the one I listed above

All knight crosses from this period are Silver and anything from Officer and up are -18 Carat Gold

 

While on the topic - there are LOH, which some classify as "100" days model They are hybrids between the 1st Empire and Monarchy Periods crosses  The 1/2 size LOH on the middle of the pictures bellow. Some of those crosses have 1st Empire central medallions. In my opinion it was very turbulent period and parts were quickly replaced and reversed depending of  who was the Ruler for the moment

Any way I do not believe that your LOH is from this Period

I hope more members will reply with their knowledge and opinion

 

Regards

Thank you so much. Am I correct that all 1st Empire LOHs had ribbon bows at the bottom of the cross whose ends splayed out and did not go straight down like the example that I posted?

 

[Graf]

8 hours ago, Jaybo said:

 

Thank you so much. Am I correct that all 1st Empire LOHs had ribbon bows at the bottom of the cross whose ends splayed out and did not go straight down like the example that I posted?

 

Correct

  Also the crowns are important Because the Presidency period Crown could be confused with 4th Type LOH from the First Empire period as the cross you listed The central medallion could be deceiving since many crosses had their medallions replaced at some stage due to the new Ruler or due to lost of the original ones

[Jaybo]

14 hours ago, Graf said:

Correct

  Also the crowns are important Because the Presidency period Crown could be confused with 4th Type LOH from the First Empire period as the cross you listed The central medallion could be deceiving since many crosses had their medallions replaced at some stage due to the new Ruler or due to lost of the original ones

Thank you Graf.

[Graf]

Welcome