Five-pointed silver Maltese cross with rays between the arms on laurel wreath and loop suspension with ribbed connector, the loop with the lozenge-shaped maker's mark of Adrien Chobillon, Paris; the face with a central circular medallion bearing a full-face female head representative of the French Republic encircled by a blue enamel ring inscribed ‘REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE’ and dated ‘1948’, hallmarked on the arm attached to the wreath suspension; the reverse with a central circular medallion bearing an open hand, palm outwards, fingers pointing down on a rayed background, encircled by a blue enamel ring inscribed ‘MERITE ARTISANAL • LABEUR QUALITE’; on original ribbon. The Order was created on 11 June 1948 and its statutes completed on 6 January 1956. It was intended to reward artisans and artists who produced work of high standard and quality and who enhanced the spread and variety of craftsmanship. Knights were required to be at least 40 years of age. The Order has not been awarded since 1963 and, having had but 15 years existence, is rare.
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