Comoros Islands, Union. An Order Of The Star Of Grand Comoro, Ii Class Commander, By Arthus Bertrand

(Ordre de l'Étoile de la Grande Comore, Commandeur). Instituted in 1886. Type II (1910-on) In bronze gilt with green enamels, maker marked "AXB" (Arthus Bertrand) on the loop, measuring 59 mm (w) x 84.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crescent moon with three green enamelled stars suspension, chipping evident in the green enamels on the tip of the star point at 12 o'clock on both sides, on its original full-length neck ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order was founded in the Nineteenth Century by Sultan Saîd Ahmet ben Saîd Ali (1793-1875) who was succeeded by his grandson, Saîd Ali ben Saîd Omar, son of the Sultan of Anjouan. Saîd Ali attempted to unify the sultanates of Grand Comoro and requested French protection on January 6, 1886. At this point the Order consisted of three classes (knights of single, double and triple star), strictly limited in number and awarded to military and civilians in a two-thirds/one-third ratio. The insignia was a gilt five-pointed star and the ribbon was plain red. Despite, representations, the French government did not recognize the Order. The Order was revised by Saîd Ali ben Saîd Omar on February 3, 1910 during a visit to France. Saîd Ali abdicated shortly thereafter and died in 1916, Grand Comoro becoming a French Colony. He was succeeded by his oldest son, Saîd Ahmet Zaki who was styled "Head of the Royal House of Grand Comoro" and retained the right to award the Order. On April 14, 1942, France authorized the wearing of the Order on the Comoros and Madagascar and it is recognized by the Grand Chancellery of the Legion of Honour but remains a family order and cannot be classified as a Colonial Order. Grand Comoro is the largest island of the Comoros and is situated at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, between Madagascar and Mozambique.