Italian State, Tuscany. An Order of Saint Joseph, Knight in Gold, c.1880
Item #EU14940
$1,601
In 18Kt solid Gold and enamels, 38mm x 56mm, of French manufacture (cross hallmarked with Ram's head), it weighs (with ribbon), 21.0 grams, very fine detailed and of very fine quality manufacture, small enamels chipping to red enamels on obverse center, minor enamel restoration, in very fine condition and scarce.
Footnote: The Order of Saint Joseph was instituted in 1807 by Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany during his reign as Grand Duke of Würzburg. It was transformed into a Tuscan Roman Catholic Dynastic Order in 1817. The constitution of the Order was promulgated in March 1817, with amendments in August 1817. The order was divided into civil and military categories but these are now defunct. It is given to reward services towards Tuscan culture and civilization and to the Grand Ducal House as a whole.