Italy, Kingdom. An Order Of Merit Of The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order Of Saint John, By Tanfani Bertarelli

(Military Division). An Order of Merit (Military Division) of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, Knight of Magistral Grace, in silver with white enamels, maker marked "TANFANI BERTARELLI" on the reverse of the suspension bearing a red and white enamelled shield upon a silver bow-tied ribbon, measuring 48.5 mm (w) x 116 mm (h) inclusive of bow-tied ribbon and shield suspension, the badge with intact white enamels, exhibiting chipping in the red and white enamels of the shield on the suspension, replacement full-length neck ribbon, better than very 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