Legion of Honor, Republic of France
Bashford Dean (1867–1928), the founding curator of the Arms and Armor Department, was also a highly regarded scientist. Dean published several short articles about Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744–1829, a pioneering zoologist and botanist who developed an early version of the theory of evolution. According to a biographical essay by William K. Gregory, Dean was awarded the Lamarck Medal and made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1910 for "his efforts towards advancing the memorial to Lamarck."
The medal consists of a badge and ribbon. The badge is a five-armed Maltese cross in silver enameled white, with a wreath of laurel and oak leaves enameled green and filling the spaces between the arms of the cross. The disk in the center of the cross is gilt and features a female head (Marianne, symbol of French liberty) facing right and surrounded by a blue enameled ring with the words RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE 1870 in gold. On the reverse the central disk is decorated with two crossed French flags (tricolores) enameled red, white, and blue and surrounded by the motto of the Legion of Honor, HONNEUR ET PATRIE, also in gold letters in a blue enameled ring. The badge is linked at the top to an oval wreath of oak and laurel leaves enameled green. At the top of this there is a round knob pierced by a suspension ring to which the ribbon of ribbed red silk is attached. At the top of the ribbon there is a transverse pin. The rectangular box is covered in dark brown leather and has the letters R.F. [République Française] stamped in gold on the lid. The interior is lined with white satin (missing on the interior of the base). Printed on the satin of the interior of the lid is the name and address of the manufacturer: Arthus Bertrand & Bèranger / 48 Rue de Rennes / Paris.
The medal consists of a badge and ribbon. The badge is a five-armed Maltese cross in silver enameled white, with a wreath of laurel and oak leaves enameled green and filling the spaces between the arms of the cross. The disk in the center of the cross is gilt and features a female head (Marianne, symbol of French liberty) facing right and surrounded by a blue enameled ring with the words RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE 1870 in gold. On the reverse the central disk is decorated with two crossed French flags (tricolores) enameled red, white, and blue and surrounded by the motto of the Legion of Honor, HONNEUR ET PATRIE, also in gold letters in a blue enameled ring. The badge is linked at the top to an oval wreath of oak and laurel leaves enameled green. At the top of this there is a round knob pierced by a suspension ring to which the ribbon of ribbed red silk is attached. At the top of the ribbon there is a transverse pin. The rectangular box is covered in dark brown leather and has the letters R.F. [République Française] stamped in gold on the lid. The interior is lined with white satin (missing on the interior of the base). Printed on the satin of the interior of the lid is the name and address of the manufacturer: Arthus Bertrand & Bèranger / 48 Rue de Rennes / Paris.
Artwork Details
- Title: Legion of Honor, Republic of France
- Manufacturer: Arthus Bertrand et Béranger (French, Paris, 1803–present)
- Date: ca. 1910
- Geography: Paris
- Culture: French, Paris
- Medium: Gold, silver, enamel, silk, leather, paper
- Dimensions: H. of medal with ribbon 4 in. (10.2 cm); case: 4 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 1 in. (11.4 x 5.7 x 2.5 cm)
- Classification: Miscellaneous-Coins and Medals
- Credit Line: Gift of Dean K. Boorman, 2013
- Object Number: 2013.493.3a, b
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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