Italy, Kingdom. An Order of St. Maurice and Lazarus, Grand Cross Badge, c.1900

(Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro). Instituted September 16th, 1572. (c. 1900 issue). Constructed of 18 karat Gold with green and white enamels, on a hollow swivel crown and ring for suspension, consisting of a two-sided Cross Bottony with white enameled arms and green enameled upside-down triangles in the quadrants between the arms of the cross; accompanied by a period original cross-body sash ribbon, unmarked, measuring 64.1 mm (w) x 98.8 mm (l) inclusive of its crown suspension, with a single small chip in the green enamels in one of the up-side down triangles, in overall better than extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus is a Roman Catholic dynastic order of knighthood bestowed by the House of Savoy, founded in 1572 by Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, through amalgamation approved by Pope Gregory XIII of the Order of Saint Maurice, founded in 1434, with the medieval Order of Saint Lazarus, founded circa 1119, considered its sole legitimate successor. The Grand Master is Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples, since 1983. The order was formerly awarded by the Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) with the heads of the House of Savoy as the Kings of Italy. Originally a chivalric order of noble nature, it was restricted to subjects of noble families with proofs of at least eight noble great-grandparents. The order's military and noble nature was and is still combined with a Roman Catholic character. After the abolishment of the monarchy and the foundation of the Italian Republic in 1946, the legacy of the order is maintained by the pretenders of the House of Savoy and the Italian throne in exile. It was awarded in five grades: I Class Knight Grand Cross, II Class Grand Officer, II Class Commander, IV Class Officer and V Class Knight. The award was discontinued in 1946 by the Republic (but continues to be awarded privately as a dynastic order of the House of Savoy).