Belgium. Red Cross Society Cross of Recognition 1870

Belgium. Red Cross Society Cross of Recognition, with blank reverse. Gilt and enamel, unmarked.

This obscure award appears to have been awarded to Belgian Red Cross volunteers during the Franco-Prussian War era. Examples are known in gilt, silver and gilt with a crown suspension. The original ribbon appears to be grey with red edge stripes and have a rosette to denote upper grades. One known example has “1871″ engraved in the reverse center; another has a crown suspension.