Italy, Kingdom. An Order of the Roman Eagle, Grand Officer Set to General Hasso von Manteuffel, by Gardino

(Grande Ufficiale dell'Ordine civile e militare dell'Aquila romana). Instituted 14 March 1942 by King Victor Emmanuel III. (1942-1944 official issue; issued by the Italian Social Republic until 1945). A Grand Officer’s set of the Order of the Roman Eagle, awarded to General der Panzertruppe Hasso von Manteuffel, consisting of:

1 A cross, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms joined through the quadrants with a circular green enameled laurel wreath, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by a pre-1945 style Italian national eagle defaced by a Savoy coat of arms, the reverse bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by gilded and raised fasces, topped by an integral loop connecting to a suspension ring which retains a period original confectioned neck ribbon, unmarked, measuring 51.54 mm (w) x 54.83 mm (h), weighing 28.9 grams, demonstrating near-total loss of gilt finish to the base metal, in addition to moderate flecking and scratching of the enamels, in better than very fine condition.

2. A breast star, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a vaulted four-pointed star with pebbled arms, bearing a central white enameled Cross Pattée joined through the arms by a circular green enameled laurel wreath, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by a pre-1945 style Italian national eagle defaced by a Savoy coat of arms, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked “E. GARDINO SUCC. CRAVANZOLA, ROMA”, measuring 72.72 mm (w) x 73.26 mm (h), weighing 46.6 grams, demonstrating some flecking and loss of finish to the enamels, in near extremely fine condition.