Italy, Kingdom. An Order of the Crown of Italy, II Class Grand Officer Star, by E.Gardino, c.1920

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. A white enameled cross set in Gold and mounted to a faceted eight-pointed star base, each point of the star finished with a ball finial, maker marked "E, GARDINO SUCC. CRAVANZOLA ROMA" on the reverse cartouche, measuring 76 mm (w) x 74.8 mm (w), vertical pinback, chipping and loss evident in the red, green and white enamels representing the jewels on the crown, the white enamels on the arms intact, slight discolouration on the reverse, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was awarded in five degrees for civilian and military merit. 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.