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

(Souveräner Ritter und Hospitalorden vom heiligen Johannes von Jerusalem von Rhodos und von Malta). Instituted circa 1099 (c. 1950 issue). The Sash Badge, in bronze gilt and red and white enamels, consisting of a four point cross  bearing a central red enamelled medallion with a white enamelled Maltese Cross, surrounded by a white ring of enamels inscribed “Mil. Ordo. Equitum Melit. Bene Merenti” in gilt capitalized letters, the reverse medallion in red enamels with the inscription “A.D MCMXX”, the 12 o’clock arm is surmounted by a large hollow crown, measures 60.30 mm (w) x 102.00 mm (h - inclusive of integral ring above crown), on silk sash; Accompanied by the star of the order consisting of a silver eight-pointed star, the obverse with a central bronze gilt cross with white enamelled arms bearing a central red enamelled medallion with a white enamelled 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 Royal Crown, reverse with a raised hinge and a central silver medallion marked “E. Gardino Succ. Cravanzola, Roma, Via Del Corso 341” by the maker, also marked 925 on the pin denoting silver fineness, measuring 85.28 mm (w) x 87.17 mm (h), weighing 69.2 grams, only light contact to enamels, remains extremely fine.