Includes: one pair of Button Covers (three-piece construction, insignia in sterling silver gilt with white enamels, mounted to a silver gilt base, each of which is hinged along one side and opens to expose a star hallmark, the manufacturer's number "1431", the city of manufacture "VI" (Vicenza) and "925" (silver), measuring 16.5 mm in diameter each); and fifteen Rosettes (each bearing an insignia insignia in sterling silver gilt with white enamels, mounted to a black rosette, nine measuring 8.5 mm in diameter, three measuring 10.8 in diameter, three measuring 12.5 mm in diameter, one of the smaller rosettes with a button hole attachment, the other fourteen rosettes with a push pin attachment, one with the white enamels missing on the arm at 9 o'clock, the others with intact enamels). Near extremely fine.
Footnote: The Order of Merit (Military Division) of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, often popularly referred to as the "Knights of Malta", was in existence certainly as long ago as the early years of the Twelfth Century and is still extant today. Originally based in Jerusalem, the Order moved to Tripoli following the capture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187 and to Rhodes by way of Cyprus after the fall of Acre in 1291. In 1522, Suleiman the Magnificent took Rhodes and the Order scattered. Charles V granted the Order the island of Malta and the Order settled here from 1530 to 1798 when Napoleon Bonaparte captured the island en route for Egypt. In 1834, the order established a new headquarters in Rome and took on its current humanitarian and ceremonial role with Grand Masters being appointed by the Pope.