Italy, Kingdom. An Order of the Crown of Italy, II Class Grand Officer's Breast Star, Cased

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. Insignia in silver gilt with red, white, blue and black enamels, mounted to an eight-pointed faceted star base, unmarked, measuring 75 mm (w) x 74 mm (h), vertical pinback, intact enamels, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, maroon pebbled exterior, two-piece crowned cypher of King Victor Emmanuel III in bronze gilt affixed to the lid, inside lid lined in white satin, padded and exhibiting a maker's label inscribed "VIRANO GIOIELLIERE TORINO", medal bed in red felt and slotted for the star's pin, measuring 111 mm (w) x 137 mm (h) x 29.5 mm (d), light scuffing and soiling evident on the exterior, case very fine. 

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele III, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was awarded in five degrees for civilian and military merit: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. Compared with the older Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus (1572), the Order of the Crown of Italy was awarded more liberally and could be conferred on non-Catholics as well. Eventually, it became a requirement for a person to have already received the Order of the Crown of Italy in at least the same degree before receiving the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. The order has been suppressed by law since the foundation of the Republic in 1946.