25 France: Order of Saint Michael.

Kingdom of France - Order of Saint Michael

Knight's Sash Badge. With fluted ring. Gold and enamels. With beautiful original sash of black moiré silk.

The multi-piece medallions depicting St. Michael in sculpted gold work. The translucent green enamel of the flames of the arms of the cross with fine guilloche background. One of the fleur de lys between the arms of the cross with French gold hallmark (ram's head, 1819 - 1838).

Truly magnificent badge in finest French jeweler's quality and absolute top condition.

Awarded during the French Bourbon Restoration Period (1815 - 1830) mainly to diplomats, important artists, men of letters and scientists, the Order of Saint Michael is the oldest and most traditional of all French orders of the Ancien Régime.

A very similar badge from the Bernard Franck collection is illustrated in Bourdier "Les Ordres Francais et les Recompenses Nationales", p. 2 

J.P. Collignon also depicts a very similar badge in hisbook " Ordres de Chevalerie - Décorations et médailles de France", p. 28,.

Insignia of this order, which was always awarded in very small numbers, are found today only in a few museums and private collections.

Of exceptional rarity. 

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