Large gilt-edged white enamel cross pattée alisée with gilt knots between the arms, with loop for neck ribbon suspension; the face with a central circular deep blue enamel medallion bearing the gilt crown of Savoy with red, white and green jewels, encircled by a gilt ring; the reverse with a gilt central circular medallion bearing a crowned black enamel eagle, an oval red enamel shield with a white enamel cross on its breast; diameter 51.66mm (2 inches); a hairline crack to the crown and a minute chip to the white enamel at the base of the lower rear arm visible under magnification; on original full neck ribbon with ties that have not been mounted; in original fitted embossed case of issue by E. Gardino, successors to D. Cravanzola, Rome, with the gilt crowned arms of King Vittorio Emanuele on the lid and maker’s mark on the interior of the lid. The Order was established on 20 February 1868 by Vittorio Emanuele II, first king of unified Italy to commemorate unification (though it was only in 1870 that the Papal States and Rome joined the union). It was intended to reward outstanding service to Italy and was open equally to Italian and non-Italian citizens. It became obsolete with the dissolution of the Italian monarchy at the end of World War II and has not been issued since. A very fine example.
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