Order of Francis I
Commander's Cross in GOLD, 83x52 mm, 56 g., with white enameled arms, flanked by beautifully chiseled and engraved fleurs de lys with polished and matted details, obverse centre medallion with highly polished royal monogram within convex, green enameled oak wreath with red enameled acorns and ribands, gold-bordered, night-blue enameled outer circlet with motto "DE REGE OPTIME MERITO", in golden lettering, reverse medallion with night-blue enameled inscription "FRANCISCVS I INSTITVIT MDCCCXXIX" on brightly-polished gold ground, within separately-made thick, green enameled oak wreath enriched by dark red enameled acorns and ribbons, typical, upper crown, solidly mounted to the cross by means of tiny rivets, with most accurately chiseled, engraved and finished details, the pearls separately made and soldered in-place, suspension ring made of double gold wire, original, large, neck ribbon. A rare and beautiful piece in the best Neapolitan manufacture, excellent condition. I R!