Italy, Republic. Two Awards

Includes:

1. Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, V Class Knight (Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana). Instituted in 1951. Fullsize: four-piece construction, in silver gilt with red, white and green enamels, measuring 44.3 mm (w) x 60.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, intact enamels, original ribbon with dual prong pinback, extremely fine; and Miniature: two-piece construction, in silver gilt, measuring 16.5 mm (w) x 27.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, original ribbon with dual prong pinback, also extremely fine. Accompanied by its Rosette, measuring 8.3 mm in diameter with button hole attachment, in their hardshelled case of issue, forest green leather-look exterior, gilt Italian Republic insignia affixed to the lid, inside lid in light yellow satin, padded and bearing a jeweller's label inscribed "GIOIELLERIA A. DE DOMINICUS / VIA E. FILIBERTO 269 / ROMA", medal bed in light yellow felt with recessed areas for the badge, miniature and rosette, measuring 123 mm (w) x 141.5 mm (h) x 27 mm (d), exhibiting scuffing on the bottom, case better than very fine.

2. Star of Merit for Work, Knight (La Stella al merito del lavoro). Instituted in 1923, rescinded in 1945 resumed in 1952. Three-piece construction, in bronze gilt with green and white enamels, measuring 42 mm (w) x 44.7 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, original ribbon with dual prong pinback, extremely fine. Accompanied by its 16.3 mm (w) x 6 mm (h) enamelled lapel ribbon bar with button hole attachment, in its hardshelled case of issue, forest green dimpled exterior, Italian Republic insignia in gold-cooured ink on the lid, inside lid in light yellow and padded, recessed medal bed in light yellow felt, measuring 71.5 mm (w) x 120 mm (h) x 23 mm (d), light wear evident on the exterior, black ink mark present on the inside lid lining, case better than very fine.

Footnotes:

1. The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was founded as the senior order of knighthood by the second President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi in 1951. The highest ranking honour of the Republic, it is awarded for "merit acquired by the nation" in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers. The post-nominal letters for the order are OMRI. The order effectively replaced the national orders the Civil Order of Savoy (1831), the Order of the Crown of Italy (1868), the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (1572) and the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation (1362). The order is bestowed by decree of the President of the Italian Republic, as head of the orders of knighthood, on the recommendation of the President of the Council of Ministers. Except in exceptional circumstances, no one can be awarded for the first time a rank higher than Knight. The minimum age requirement is normally 35. It is awarded in six classes: Knight Grand Cross with Collar; I Class Knight Grand Cross; II Class Grand Officer; III Class Commander; IV Class Officer; and V Class Knight.

2. The Star of Merit for Work is conferred by the President of the Republic on the proposal of the Minister of Work to Italian citizens, employees, distinguished for their unique merits of expertise, industriousness and good moral conduct. The decoration carries the title of Master of the work. The origins of the decoration date back to the Royal Decree of May 1, 1898, when King Umberto I instituted a "Decoration of agricultural and industrial merit" for agricultural and industrial entrepreneurs and a "medal of honour" for their employees. With the Royal Decree of May 9, 1901, King Vittorio Emanuele III transformed this decoration into the "Knightly Order of Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial Merit". The honour could also be conferred on blue-collar employees. In 1923, the order, which in the meantime had changed its name to "Order of Merit for Work", was split. The Royal Decree of December 30, 1923 restricted access to the order, only to entrepreneurs and, at the same time, the same decree instituted the Star of Merit for Work for workers, which since then had an independent life. The concession of the decoration was also extended to Italian citizens residing abroad on September 4, 1927. The decoration was granted until 1943 and resumed with the promulgation of Law by the Italian Republic on December 18, 1952, introducing the title of Master of Work for those awarded the decoration. The possibility of granting the decoration was also envisaged to "honour the memory of Italian workers, including those residing abroad, who have died or are missing following events of exceptional gravity [...] connected with work", effective October 29, 1965.