 FRENCH EMPIRE. Order of the Reunion, Knight's Badge. Founded October 1811. Silver gilt, 61.5 (tip of cross to lowest point) x 36.9mm. Vernon 87. Extremely Fine, minute chipping near points, tiny areas of blue enamel repair. 12 ball-tipped white-enamel points, five gold arrows in each angle representing 30 Italian Departments annexed along with Holland. 17mm Gold center disc has blue-enamel band inscribed TOUT POUR L'EMPIRE, For the Empire around an Imperial throne literally packed with intricate symbols of French expansion. The eagle atop the throne holds a trident (annexation of ports of Genoa and Hamburg) and 9 arrows (Provinces of Holland). Supporting the throne are the lions of Holland and Florence, at its feet is the Wolf of Rome. Rev. Monogram 'N', blue band inscribed A JAMAIS, Forever. Imperial Crown suspender shows eagles at the base of each arch, its blue enamel circlet inscribed NAPOLEON/ FONDATEUR. Cornflower blue moiré ribbon is somewhat tattered on the back. (Est. $2,000-$3,000)
Awarded for only four years, this Order was founded to mark the annexation or ''Reunion'' of the erstwhile Kingdom of Holland, ruled by Napoleon's brother Louis (Lodewyjk) and areas in Northern Italy and Germany with the French Empire. Dutch recipients received it as a replacement for the Royal Order of the Union of Holland, abolished along with the Kingdom itself.
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