Italy, Two Sicilies. An Illustrious Royal Order Of Saint Januarius, Knight Breast Star, C.1935

(Insigne Reale Ordine di San Gennaro). Instituted in 1738. Two-piece insignia in silver with yellow, white, red and green enamels, mounted to a cross base, each of the arms of the cross are covered with multiple beads, as are the fleur-de-lis between each of the four arms, measuring 74.3 mm (w) x 74.3 mm (h), vertical pinback flanked by dual stays, intact enamels, white paint residue evident on the reverse cartouche, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Illustrious Royal Order of Saint Januarius is a Roman Catholic order of knighthood founded by Charles VII of Naples in 1738. It was the last great dynastic order to be constituted as a chivalric fraternity, with a limitation to Roman Catholics and a direct attachment to the dynasty rather than the state. The founder of the order, Charles VII of Naples, ruled from 1734 until 1759. The grand magistry of the order is disputed among claimants to the headship of the formerly reigning House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.