Italy, Republic. An Order of Merit, I Class Grand Cross, c.1955

Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana. Instituted in 1951. In silver gilt with red, white, green and black enamels, measuring 71 mm (w) x 97.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, very light contact, on its original full-length sash incorporating a decorative moiré pattern, near extremely fine. Accompanied by its 13 mm in diameter rosette bearing a 9 mm (w) x 11 mm (h) miniature of the award, the rosette affixed to the bow on the sash.