Italy, Kingdom. An Order Of St. Maurice And St. Lazarus, Officer’s Cross, C. 1870

(Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro). Instituted in 1434. A Gold cross presenting a white enamelled shamrock cross with a re-enamelled green Maltese cross in each quadrant with very small ball finials, reverse mirrors the obverse, suspended from a bronze gilt crown, measures 38.3mm (w) x 59.3mm (h – inclusive of cross adorned integral ball), weighs 13.2 grams (including ribbon), worn on a green ribbon with two buttons attached at the top of the reverse, enamels on shamrock cross heavily cracked on obverse and reverse, loss of enamelled ball on 12 o’clock arm of reverse, as mentioned all enamelling on Maltese cross has been replaced, an aged decoration in near very fine condition.

Footnote: This Order was formed by the combination of two Orders of Knighthood, the Order of St. Maurice and the Order of St. Lazarus. The Order of St. Maurice was established in 1434, and the Order of St. Lazarus originated in the early 12th century.