Italy, Kingdom. An Order of the Crown of Italy, V Class Knight, Cased, Named to Knight Enrico Orengo in 1884

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. Multi-piece construction, in 18K Gold with red, white, blue and black enamels, weighing 7.9 grams, unmarked, measuring 38.6 mm (w) x 37.7 mm (h), tiny chip evident in the white enamels on the outer edge of the arm at 9 o'clock on the reverse, otherwise the enamels are intact, very light contact, on its original frayed ribbon, near extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, exterior in violet felt, inscribed in gold-coloured ink "Al Cavaliero / ENRICO ORENGO / DIRETTORE PROV DELLE POSTE IN ABBZZO / DEL IMPIEGATI DIPENDENTI / OFFRONO / LUGLIO 1884" (Knight Enrico Orengo, Provincial Director of Post in Abbzzo from the Employees, Presented in July 1884), inside lid in violet satin, padded and exhibiting the impression of the badge, medal bed in violet felt and incorporating a recessed medal bed for the badge, measuring 79 mm (w) x 115 mm (h) x 24.2 mm (d), the exterior with extensive soiling evident on the lid, along with wear overall along the edges and the corners, the interior unaffected, case better than 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.