Italy, Republic. An Order of St. George of Carinthia, III Class Commander, c. 1960

(Croce dell'Ordine di San Giorgio di Carinzia). Multi-piece construction, badge in bronze gilt with red and white enamels, the crown suspension in bronze gilt with red, white, blue and green enamels, unmarked, measuring 16.5 mm (w) x 29.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, intact enamels, on its full-length original neck ribbon, extremely fine. Accompanied by its Rosette, bearing an enamelled insignia, measuring 12.8 mm in diameter, with button hole attachment, in its hardshelled case of issue, deep red cloth exterior, inside lid in deep red satin and padded, base in deep red felt and housing two recessed beds, one the award, the other for the missing miniature, along with a slot to house the rosette, measuring 123 mm (w) x 168 mm (h) x 32 mm (d), wear and contact evident on the cloth exterior, case near very fine.

Footnote: The Order of Saint George In Carinthia was established by Emperor designate Rudolph I of Habsburg (1273-1291) in 1273 to continue the Order of Saint George of Austria. It was re-established on Christmas night in Rome in the year 1468 by Emperor Frederick III (1452-1493) as lay and religious, military and civil Dynastic Order. The Order was approved on January 1, 1469 by Paul II (1464-1471) and again in 1472 by Sixtus IV (1471-1484). It was amplified by Emperor Maximilian I (1493-1519) and approved Alexander VI (1492-1503) in 1493 together with the Confraternity of St. George in Carinthia, to which he asked to be admitted as a member together with the Sacred College. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the Order was described as one of the most important of the Holy Roman Empire. It had taken the form of a religious military order in Germany. The first thirteen Prince Grand Masters of the Order were all from the House of Habsburg and were descended from the Emperor Rudolf I. The Grand Master of the Order was conferred with the Imperial Title and Honour of a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, and granted the Seat and Residence to him and his Successors, the Castle of Mildstad in the Duchy of Carinthia.