Gold-edged white enamel cross pattée with gold knots between the arms, on laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with a central circular deep blue enamel medallion bearing the gold crown of Savoy encircled by a gold ring; the reverse with a gold central circular medallion bearing a crowned black enamel eagle, an oval red enamel shield with a white enamel cross on its breast; the red and green ‘jewels’ of the crown absent; on original ribbon with rosette denoting an award of the officer class; with a corresponding miniature of identical design, diameter 16.39mm (0.64 inch), without a rosette on the ribbon; with a buttonhole rosette and corresponding tie pin; in original fitted case of issue, a couple of slight indentations to 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 good older set.
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