Germany, Palatinate, then Kingdom of Bavaria - Order of the - Lot 465

Germany, Palatinate, then Kingdom of Bavaria - Order of the Lion of the Palatinate, founded in 1768, abolished in 1808 when the Order of Merit of the Crown of Bavaria was created, knight's cross, half-size in gold and midnight blue enamel (restorations), the center in two parts, on the obverse the lion of the Palatinate encircled by the motto "MERENTI", on the reverse the numeral "CT" of the founder, Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria, surrounded by the legend "INSTITU. AN. 1768", scrolled setting, fluted ring, later ribbon. 27.4x22mm, gross weight: 7.3 g France, late 18th century, early 19th century. TTB Provenance: attributed to General César Berthier (1765-1819), younger brother of Marshal Berthier, career officer, captain in 1786, lieutenant-colonel in Rochambeau's army in 1792, director of the topographical office in Paris in 1799, chief of staff to Murat in 1800, he took part in the battle of Marengo, brigadier general in 1802, commander of the Legion of Honor on January 11, 1804, division general and chief of staff to Joseph Napoleon in the army of Naples in 1806, In August 1807, he disembarked at Corfu at the head of a division to occupy the Ionian islands and govern them on behalf of the French Empire. Recalled, he served in Italy as head of the household of Pope Pius VII, detained in Savona, then military governor of Piedmont, he was responsible for announcing to Valais its attachment to the Empire in 1810, military governor of Corsica, he rallied to the Bourbons in 1814. He died accidentally in 1819. Comte de l'Empire in 1811, chevalier de l'ordre de Saint-Louis on October 24, 1814.