Italy, Kingdom. An Order of the Crown of Italy, V Class Knight in Gold, "Terranovesi", c.1900

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. Multi-piece construction, in 18K Gold with red, white, blue, green and black enamels, weighing 11.2 grams, unmarked, measuring 38 mm in diameter x 41.8 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, one of the white beads and one of the green enamelled jewels on the crown have been lost to time, crazing and chipping evident in the blue enamelled disk backing the crown, small chip in the white enamels on the arm at 3 o'clock on the obverse, scuff mark on the arm at 6 o'clock on the reverse, original ribbon, fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, off-white felt exterior on five sides, the bottom in white satin, monogram of King Victor Emanuele III surrounded by the inscription "AL CAV. EMILIANO BRIGNONE / I TERRANOVESI" in gold-coloured ink on the lid, inside lid in white satin, padded and maker marked "DEVECCHI FRAsco / OREFICE GIOIELLIERE / SOTTO PORTIGI LUNGHI / CASALE", off-white felt medal bed slotted with a raised tab, push release, measuring 95 mm (w) x 132 mm (h) x 31.2 mm (d), the exterior with light soiling evident in the off-white felt along with a small tear in the white satin on the bottom, light discolouration on the off-white felt of the medal bed, case also 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: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. 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.