Vatican. Equestrian. An Order Of The Holy Sepulchre Of Jerusalem For Gentlemen With Trophy Of Arms, II Class Commander

(Ordine del Santo Sepolcro / Ordo Equestris Sancti Sepulcri Hierosolymitani = OESSH). Instituted in 1099, re-organized in 1847. In silver gilt with red enamels, unmarked, measuring 51 mm (w) x 103.5 mm (h) inclusive of its two-piece trophy-of-arms suspension, intact enamels, very light contact, traces of gilt remains on the obverse of the trophy-of-arms suspension, the gilt intact on its reverse, on its full-length original neck ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, also called Order of the Holy Sepulchre or Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, is a Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the Holy See. The Pope is the sovereign of the order. The order creates "canons" as well as knights, with the primary mission to "support the Christian presence in the Holy Land". The order today is estimated to have some 30,000 knights and dames in sixty lieutenancies around the world. It was founded in 1099 and re-organized under Pope Pius IX in 1847.