Austria, Republic. An Order of the Knights of Malta, Grand Cross Breast Star of Merit, c. 1950, by E. Gardino Cravanzola

(Souveräner Ritter und Hospitalorden vom heiligen Johannes von Jerusalem von Rhodos und von Malta). Instituted circa 1099 (c. 1950 issue). Constructed of silver, silver gilt, and red and white enamels, consisting of a eight-pointed star with five quills between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central cross with white enameled arms bearing a central red enameled medallion with a white enameled Maltese Cross, surrounded by a white ring of enamels inscribed “Mil. Ordo. Equitum Melit. Bene Merenti” in gilt capitalized letters, the cross topped by a hollow Royal Crown, the reverse plain, with a raised hinge, tapered vertical pinback, and round wire catch, with a central silver medallion marked “E. Gardino Succ. Cravanzola, Roma, Via Del Corso 341” by the maker, measuring 84.4 mm (w) x 83.7 mm (l), weighing 71.54 grams, in near extremely fine condition.