Five-pointed white enamel Maltese cross with ball-tipped finials, a light and dark green and red enamel wreath of coffee and tobacco leaves between the arms, on an oval suspension of a light and dark green and red enamel wreath of coffee and tobacco leaves; the face with a silver-gilt central medallion bearing a female head representing the Brazilian nation within a deep blue enamel circle bearing the gilt inscription ‘REPUBLICA DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL (Republic of the United States of Brazil); the reverse with a central pale blue medallion with the constellation of the Southern Cross in silver-gilt and white enamel surrounded by a deep blue enamel circle bearing the gilt inscription ‘BENEMERENTIUM PRÆMIUM’ (Latin = reward for merit); on original slightly shortened pale blue ribbon with officer’s rosette mounted for wear. The Order of the Southern Cross was instituted by Emperor Don Pedro I as an imperial order on 1 December 1822. After Brazil became a republic, the order fell into abeyance for 41 years before being revived by Presidential decree on 5 December 1932. It is awarded only to foreign nationals and is intended as a token of gratitude and recognition for those who have rendered significant service to Brazilian nation. The Brazilian Head of State may be awarded the Grand Collar of the Order; there are five further grades. The Southern Cross is the smallest of all the constellations but also one of the most distinctive and, being cruciform, became the national symbol of a number of countries in the southern hemisphere discovered by devoutly Christian explorers and navigators. A very good early high-quality example.