French, Colonial. An Order Of The Black Star, Grand Officer Miniature In Gold And Diamonds,

(Ordre de l'Étoile Noire). Instituted in 1892 by Toffa, King of Porto Novo. Of superb French manufacture, consisting of an exquisitely enameled blue-framed Maltese Cross composed of genuines finely cut diamond in its arms, featuring sets of multiple Gold rays with superposed genuines diamonds in each quadrant, with obverse centre exhibiting a finely enameled black five pointed star, plain reverse, suspended by a beautifully enameled green laurel wreath also in Gold, surmounted by a ring suspension in Gold embellished by genuine diamonds, presenting French eagle hallmark denoting fineness of minimum .750 Gold on its ring suspension, measuring 14.09 mm (w) x 30.22 mm (h - inclusive of laurel wreath and ring), weighting 3.3 grams, on original ribbon with rosette and Gold hanger, exquisite piece in very good condition.

Footnote: The Order of the Black Star was founded by the King of Porto-Novo on December 1, 1889 and it became a colonial French order on May 10, 1896. The Order was one of three orders named an “Order of Overseas France” on September 1, 1950. It was later suppressed when the National Order of Merit was created in 1963.