Italy, Kingdom. A Military Order of Savoy, II Class Grand Officer Case, c.1935

(Ordine Militare di Savoia). Instituted in 1815. Hardshelled, wooden frame with a textured royal blue cloth exterior, twin gold-coloured rule trim along the perimeter edges on the convex lid, embossed with the crowned cypher of King Victor Emmanuel III in gold-coloured ink in the centre of the lid, maker marked "L RAVIOLO E. GARDINO SUCCESSORI CRAVANZOLA PROV. DELLA R. CASA E R.R. MINISTERI CORSO UMBERTO I 338 .339 . 540 ROMA" on the white satin inside lid, raised platform with a navy blue velvet medal bed and housing a recessed medal bed and slotted medal bed for the badge and breast star respectively, hinged, latch closure, measuring 105 mm (w) x 230 mm (h) x 36 mm (d), light soiling and wear evident on the exterior, the royal blue cloth covering peeling away at the side versus the lid on both sides, which exposes the underlying wooden frame, some of the gold-coloured rule exhibiting wear, very fine.

Footnote: The Military Order of Savoy was the highest and most prestigious Italian military order, awarded for exceptional conduct in war. It was founded on August 14, 1815 and renewed by Royal Decree on September 27, 1855 and March 28, 1857. After the abolition of the Italian monarchy in 1947, the Order became the Military Order of Italy and the insignia were changed to reflect the fact that Italy had become a republic.