Order of Merit, Knight

SKU: 01.NLD.0106.202.01

Estimated market value:

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Estimated market value:

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Attributes

country

Netherlands
date of institution

December 12, 1806
remarks

Order of Merit-knight- consists of an eight-pointed star in Gold, with white enameled star points, crowned with a ball point. The horizontal and vertical points are longer than the intermediate points. The star points are separated by a golden bee with spread wings. In the center of the star is a gold medallion, surrounded by a band of green enamel. The obverse depicts the portrait of the King with the inscribed: LODEWYK I. KING OF HOLLAND; on the reverse, a standing lion with the inscription: EENDRAGT MAAKT MAGT. The decoration was suspended from a Royal crown and was worn on a green ribbon. Extremely rare decoration.

History

The Order of the Union was established by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, King of Holland, in 1806. It underwent a number of name and design changes in its short 5-year lifespan. The Order of Merit was instituted on December 12, 1806. It was finally superseded by Napoleon’s Order of the Reunion in 1811.

The Order of Merit was to hold 50 commanders and 300 Knights. No Commander were produced. A total of 294 Knights were appointed to the Order of Merit, although only a small number of decorations were actually produced. The obverse inscription translates to "Louis I, King of Holland," and the reverse inscription translates to "Do what you ought, and come what will."

However, Napoleon Bonaparte was displeased with the actions of his brother. The order of Merit was abolished February 14, 1807 and was replaced by the Royal Order of Holland.

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