International, France. An Order Of Saint Catherine Of Mount Sinaï, Knight, C.1920

(Ordre de Sainte Catherine de Mont Sinaï, Chevalier). Instituted in 1891. Multi-piece construction, in silver gilt with red, white and blue enamels, the base formed by a Maltese cross, with gilt Jerusalem crosses between all four arms, obverse centrepiece bearing the arms of the Lusignan kings of Cyprus (1192-1489) within a ring radiating flames inscribed "POUR BAILLER SA FOI" (To Convey Her Faith), the centrepiece backed by an upward-pointing sword, reverse centrepiece illustrating a Catherine wheel inscribed with the dates "1063" above "1891" within a ring radiating flames inscribed "Ste CATHERINE DE MONT SINAI" (Saint Catherine of Mount Sinaï), measuring 38.3 mm (w) x 61 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and laterally-pierced ball suspension, chipping evident in the red enamels on the obverse centrepiece ring and flames, gcrazing, chippin and/or loss present in the white enamels on three of the four arms of the cross on both sides, original ribbon suspended from a bar hanger with ball finals at either end, better than fine.

Footnote: Saint Catherine was born at el-Iskandariya (Alexandria), Egypt, in the late third century. Famous for her beauty and intellect, she converted to Christianity and refused all offers of marriage. Early in the fourth century, Emperor Maxentius appointed fifty academics to debate with her but such were her powers of persuasion that they too converted to Christianity. Eventually she was tortured and executed for her faith. It is said that angels transported her body to the peak of Mount Sinaï where it rests in the seventeen-hundred-years-old Monastery of Saint Catherine. The Order is one of a number created by 'Marie de Lusignan', wife of 'Guy de Lusignan', self-styled Prince of Jerusalem, of Cyprus and of Armenia. When he died in 1905, her lover took over as 'Grand Master', having awarded himself the title 'Comte d'Alby de Gratigny'. The founder of the Order and her husband were well-known for creating orders for financial gain and social prestige and he seems to have started life named 'Kafta' and to have become a Maronite priest before taking on a royal title.