Italy, Kingdom. An Order of the Crown in Gold, IV Class Officer, c.1918

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. Multi-piece construction, in 18K Gold with red, white, blue and black enamels, weighing 9.6 grams, unmarked, measuring 37.3 mm (w) x 40.7 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, intact enamels, large rosette sewn in place to its original ribbon, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, red pebbled exterior on five sides, black pebbled bottom, crowned cypher of King Victor Emmanuel III on the lid, inside lid lined in white satin, padded and maker marked "Dco CRAVANZOLA PROV. DELLA R. CASA E R.R. MINISTERI CORSO. UMBERTO I 338.339.540 ROMA", white cardboard insert placed within the white satin lined base and housing a black felt recessed medal bed, measuring 68.7 mm (w) x 104.5 mm (h) x 24 mm (d), wear spot present on the lower left corner on the lid, light soiling evident on the exterior, case better than very fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele III, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was awarded in five degrees for civilian and military merit: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. Compared with the older Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus (1572), the Order of the Crown of Italy was awarded more liberally and could be conferred on non-Catholics as well. Eventually, it became a requirement for a person to have already received the Order of the Crown of Italy in at least the same degree before receiving the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. The order has been suppressed by law since the foundation of the Republic in 1946.