Italy, Kingdom. An Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus in Gold, Knight, Cased

(Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro). Instituted in 1434. In 18K Gold with green and white enamels, weighing 9.2 grams, unmarked, measuring 42.3 mm (w) x 41.8 mm (h), residue evident around the three ball cluster on the ends of all four arms on both sides, otherwise the enamels are intact, original ribbon, near extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, forest green dimpled exterior, crowned monogram of King Vittorio Emanuelle III in gold-coloured ink on the lid, inside lid in ivory satin and padded, base incorporating a raised platform in cream felt with a recessed medal bed, measuring 67.5 mm (w) x 108 mm (h) x 22 mm (d), very light wear evident on the exterior, case also extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus is a Roman Catholic dynastic order of knighthood bestowed by the House of Savoy, founded in 1572 by Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, through amalgamation approved by Pope Gregory XIII of the Order of Saint Maurice, founded in 1434, with the medieval Order of Saint Lazarus, founded circa 1119, considered its sole legitimate successor. The Grand Master is Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples, since 1983. The order was formerly awarded by the Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) with the heads of the House of Savoy as the Kings of Italy. Originally a chivalric order of noble nature, it was restricted to subjects of noble families with proofs of at least eight noble great-grandparents. The order's military and noble nature was and is still combined with a Roman Catholic character. After the abolishment of the monarchy and the foundation of the Italian Republic in 1946, the legacy of the order is maintained by the pretenders of the House of Savoy and the Italian throne in exile.