Order of the Star of Africa. Belgium. Commander's Cross

Medal of the Order of the Star of Africa, Commander category in solid gilded silver. In perfect condition both the metal and the enamel; and also the ribbon, which is the original one that remains untouched. It consists of a central five-pointed star in white enamel, which is occupied by a smaller one surrounded by the motto "Travail et Progres", all in gold. The whole is surrounded by a crown of laurel enamelled in green finished by a royal crown representing the Royal House of Belgium. The ribbon is two-coloured, with two blue bands at both sides and a gold in the middle. As regards to the historical context, the Order of the Star of Africa was created by King Leopold II of Belgium in 1888, as the ruler of the Congo Free State, and was awarded for services in the Congo and "promotion of African civilization in general." His integration into the Belgian system produced honours in October 10, 1908 following the annexation of the Congo Free State by Belgium. The motto of the Order is "Travail et Progrès" (French: Work and Progress). The King of the Belgians is the Grand Master, although Congo is not a Belgian colony anymore, it is still considered an order from Belgium. It is granted by Royal Decree. After the independence of Congo in 1960, the Order of the Star of Africa is not issued anymore (although it still exists). This piece presented here is representative of the latest editions of this medal.Size: 94 mm high (including the crown) and 57 mm wide.