Italy, Kingdom. An Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, III Class Commander Case

(Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro). Instituted in 1434. Hardshelled design on both the lid and base, the exterior with a forest green dimpled fabric covering on five sides, the bottom with a blackish-green paper covering, inside lid lined in a champagne-coloured satin, padded and maker marked "S. Johnson MILANO ROMA", a white cardboard insert placed within the base and housing a recessed medal bed for the Badge and a slot for the Rosette in yellowish-white felt, single clasp closure, measuring 90.5 mm (w) x 159 mm (h) x 25.5 mm (d), light scuffing, wear and soiling evident on the exterior, missing its metal insignia on the lid as evidenced by the tiny hole in the centre, very light soiling in the medal bed, 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.