Vatican. An Equestrian Order of St. Gregory The Great for Military Merit, II Class Commander in Gold, c. 1880

(Ordine di San Gregorio Magno). Instituted in 1831. A lovely decoration, in 18K Gold, a red Maltese cross with ball finials, the obverse medallion featuring a bust of St. Gregory on a blue enamelled background surrounded by the inscription S. GREGORIUS MAGNUS, the reverse medallion features the inscription PRO DEO ET PRINCIPE, in a surround with the inscription GREGORIUS XVI.P.M.ANNO.I, surmounted by a hand detailed trophy suspension in Gold, measures 55.65mm (w) x 92.03mm (h – including trophy suspension), weighs 31.4 grams (including ribbon), worn on original neck ribbon swatch, marked on the loop with a partial markers mark, and on the suspension bar with a French eagle’s head denoting Paris manufacture between 1870-1919, enamel intact throughout, a top quality decoration in extremely fine condition.