Bilingual Versions
- the later issues are bilingual including the Dutch ARBEID EN VOORUITGANG in the lower half of the circlet.
Also found in Bilingual versions.
the later issues are bilingual including the Dutch ARBEID EN VOORUITGANG in the lower half of the circlet.


Royal Order of the Lion.
Ordre Royal du Lion

       This Order came into existence by two royal decrees on the 9th April and the 28th July 1891 by the King-Sovereign of the Independent state of the Congo, Leopold II. The order was created to recognise merit and special service to the Congo, although not necessarily from within the Congo. When the Congo Free State was annexed by Belgium in 1908 the Order was integrated into the Belgian awards system.

The Order is in the familiar pattern of five classes with a medal attached:-

Class Entitled to wear;
1st Grand Cross / Grand Croix Large diamond shaped star of the order worn on a sash.
Also a small number of individuals have been entitled to wear the collar of the order.
2nd Grand Officer / Grand Officier Large Maltese cross shaped 'star' of the order worn on a sash.
3rd Commander / Commandeur Badge of the order worn on a neck ribbon (badge slightly larger than the two lower classes)
4th Officer / Officier Badge of the order in gilt, rosette on the ribbon,  (illustrated) worn on the left breast
5th Knight / Chevalier Badge of the order in silver, worn on the left breast.
Medal of the order / Medailles (  Gold, Silver and Bronze) Medal ( see separate page )

    Badge of the Order, description; A white enamel Rupert cross with a perimeter channel of blue enamel, with the angles in-filled with filigree 'back to back' letter "C"s for "Congo". Suspension by means of a pivoting royal crown and ring. Obverse medallion depicts the crowned Belgian lion on a blue enamel background within a circlet inscribed with the motto of the Congo "TRAVAIL ET PROGRES" N , - the medallion is surrounded by a scalloped channel of blue enamel. Reverse, similar to the obverse but with a central medallion of red enamel with the crowned royal monogram "L/S/L" superimposed.

Ribbon: Amaranth purple, with narrow pale yellow edge stripes bordered with pale blue.

 

 

Royal Order of the Lion

Ordre Royal du Lion

Above: 4th or Officer Class Royal Order of the Lion breast badge. (5th class Knight's badge is similar but in a silver finish and without the rosette on the ribbon.)
 
 
 
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