Italy, Sardinia, Kingdom. A Civil Order Of Savoy, Scarce

(Ordine Civile di Savoia). Instituted in 1831. In 18K Gold with light blue and white enamels, weighing 11.6 grams, illustrating the interlocking monogram letters "CA" (Charles Albert) on the obverse centrepiece, the reverse centrepiece inscribed "AL MERITO CIVILE 1851", measuring 35 mm (w) x 36.8 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, scuffing evident on the enamels on the arm at 12 o'clock on the reverse, otherwise the enamels are intact, original ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Civil Order of Savoy was founded as an order of knighthood in 1831 by the King of Sardinia, Charles Albert, Duke of Savoy. It was intended to reward those virtues not belonging to the existing Military Order of Savoy, founded by Vittorio Emanuele I in 1815. The order has one degree, that of Knight (Cavalieri dell’Ordine civile di Savoia) and was limited to seventy members. Admission is by the personal invitation of the head of the House of Savoy. The civil order was continued on the unification of Italy in 1861, but has been suppressed by law since the foundation of the Republic in 1946. King Umberto II did not abdicate his position as "fons honorum" however, and the now dynastic order remains under the Grand Mastership of the head of the former Royal house. While the continued use of this decoration that was awarded prior to 1951 is permitted in Italy, they no longer confer any right of precedence in official ceremonies. The military order on the other hand, was revived as the Military Order of Italy and remains a national order today.