Madagascar, Order of Merit, King Radama II, Officer’s breast badge, silver and enamels, the centres gold and enamel, together with a full neck cravat for a Commander’s badge, some hairline enamel cracks and chips to several points, otherwise good very fine and extremely rare £250-300

See Colour Plate VI

This rare and little known order was established by King Radama II on 25 September, 1862, as an award for civil or military merit. King Radama only reigned for two years before he was killed in a native uprising and was succeeded by his wife Rasoherina.