FRENCH ARMY OFFICERS BELT BUCKLE-LOUIS PHILIPPE
French Army officers belt buckle dating from the mid 1800's. This buckle which was also used during WW1 is of 2 piece brass and represents the "Genie de la France" (the French Heritage) creation of artist Eugène Lami (1800-1890) in 1845, painter and decorator famous for his lithographs on the uniforms of the French Army during the reign of Louis-Philippe. It was part of the military uniform of commissioned officers under the reign of Louis Philippe I, under the Second Republic and under the Presidency. It bears in large letters the French motto "Honneur / Patrie".