Italy, Kingdom. An Order of St. Maurice & St. Lazarus, Commander, to Professor Antonio Sansone, Fondi Rustici Institute 1911

(Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro, Cavaliere). Instituted in 1434. In 18K Gold with white and green enamels, weighing 26.6 grams, unmarked, measuring 54.8 mm (w) x 91 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and integral ring, minor spotting evident on the white enamels, lightly soiled original full-length neck ribbon, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, white paper fabric exterior with an ornate design in gold-cloured ink, plaque in bronze gilt affixed to the lid engraved "Gli impiegati dell'Instituto di Fondi Rustici al Chiariss.ᵐᵒ Prof. Comm. Antonio Sansone offrono" (From the Employees of the Fondi Rustici Institute, to Superlative Professor of Commerce, Antonio Sansone), inside lid in white satin, padded and maker marked "Cravanzola ROMA", base with a raised platform with a recessed medal bed in black felt, measuring 98.5 mm (w) x 150.5 mm (h) x 36 mm (d), light wear and soiling evident on the exterior, the interior very clean and without imperfections, case very fine.

Footnote: The Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus is a Roman Catholic dynastic order of knighthood bestowed by the House of Savoy, founded in 1572 by Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, through amalgamation approved by Pope Gregory XIII of the Order of Saint Maurice, founded in 1434, with the medieval Order of Saint Lazarus, founded circa 1119, considered its sole legitimate successor. The Grand Master is Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples, since 1983. The order was formerly awarded by the Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) with the heads of the House of Savoy as the Kings of Italy. Originally a chivalric order of noble nature, it was restricted to subjects of noble families with proofs of at least eight noble great-grandparents. The order's military and noble nature was and is still combined with a Roman Catholic character. After the abolishment of the monarchy and the foundation of the Italian Republic in 1946, the legacy of the order is maintained by the pretenders of the House of Savoy and the Italian throne in exile.