Italy, Kingdom. An African Medal Campaign Medal With Adua And Cassala Clasps, C. 1900

(Medaglia Delle Campagne d'Africa). Instituted November 3, 1894 by Umberto I. A bronze medal, the obverse center presenting a right facing crowned Umberto I, reverse features the embossed inscription CAMPAGNE D’AFRICA in a laurel wreath surround, measures 31.65mm (w) x 35.98mm (h – inclusive of integral suspension bar), weighs 21.9 grams (including ribbon and clasps), worn on original ribbon with clasps ADUA 1890 and CASSALA 1894, marked SPERANZA along the 5 o’clock edge, small edge bruises and nicks

Footnote: The Africa Campaigns Medal was instituted on November 3, 1894 by Royal decree no. 463 and awarded to Army and Navy soldiers, natives of the colonial troops and Italian civilians who were engaged in Africa. They could also receive silver bars for each battle they participated in. The granting of this medal ceased in 1935 with the issuing of the East Africa Medal. Adua was at one point the capital of Tigre, Northern Abyssinia. On March 1, 1896 the Battle of Adua was fought. The result was an Abyssinian victory over the Italian forces. The Battle of Kassala was fought on July 17, 1894 between the Italian and the Mahdist Sudanese. While the Italian attack was intensely contested, they were successful in driving back the Sudanese forces and capturing the area, resulting in the death of at least 1400 Mahdist Sudanese, if not more due to drowning in the rising river. In 1897, Kassala was given back to the British by the Italians in exchange for international recognition of their colony of Eritrea.