France, Colonial. An Order of the Black Star, Grand Cross Breast Star consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac it is made out of

it is made out of iron with a single mould casting

flanked by branches of laurel leaves upon a pebbled background on either side

enamels intact on the Merit Cross "1849"

The eagle insignia measures 52 mm (w) x 26 mm (h) overall

France, Colonial. An Order of the Black Star, Grand Cross Breast Star consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac it is made out ofInstituted May 10, 1896 by the King of Porto Novo. In silver, an eight point star with cluster of five smooth rays, the medallion superimposed presenting a white and blue enamelled Maltese Cross, with a five point black enamel star in the center, the reverse with a single vertical pin flanked by dual stays, marked with a boars head denoting French manufacture and small silver guarantee post 1838, partial maker mark, measures 86 mm (w) x 86. 9 mm (h),