Medal of Honour
for the Ministry of Labour
(Médaille d’Honneur du Travail du Ministère du Travail)
Circular silver medal on laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with a laurel-crowned female head facing left, representative of the French Republic, circumscribed ‘REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE’ and signed ‘L. Matteï’ (for the artist Léo Matteï); the reverse with a rectangular plaque, below, a radiant upright hammer in a fist, a standard and a staff of Hermes (Mercury) above, inscribed ‘HONNEUR TRAVAIL’ at the base; maker’s mark of Arthus Bertrand & Cie. of Paris on the edge; on original tricolour ribbon for wear in the French style.
The Medal was first instituted on 13 July 1886 and reorganised on 15 May 1948. A number of different versions exist. The silver grade awarded for thirty service or 25 years in the French Colonies.
