Cross in bronze gilt with white enamels, connected to a gilt crown suspension and surmounted by a trophy of arms suspension in fire gilt bronze with red and white enamels, unmarked, measuring 51.5 mm (w) x 113.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and trophy of arms suspension, intact enamels although there is yellowing evident on the arm at 6 o'clock, scattered gilt wear, original wide shortened neck ribbon, better than very fine.
Footnote: The Order of Merit 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.