Italy, Kingdom. An Order Of The Crown, Grand Officer In Gold, Cased

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. Grand Officer Badge: multi-piece construction, in 18K Gold with red, white, blue, green and black enamels, unmarked, weighing 17.7 grams, measuring 50.5 mm in diameter x 54 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, missing a white enamelled jewel on the lower row of the crown at the far right, on its original full-length neck ribbon; and Breast Star: multi-piece construction, insignia in 18K Gold with red, white, blue and green enamels, mounted to an eight-pointed silver star base, each star point with five faceted rays, with a faceted ray between each star point, maker marked "D. CRAVANZOLA / SUCCi Flli BORANI ROMA" on the reverse cartouche, measuring 72 mm (w) x 72.7 mm (h), vertical pinback, crazing evident in the blue enamels just above the crown on the centrepiece and in the white enamels on the arm at 6 o'clock. Near extremely fine. In their hardshelled case of issue, red pebbled exterior, cypher of King Vittorio Emanuelle III in gold-coloured ink on the lid, maker marked "Dco CRAVANZOLA PROV. DELLA R. CASA E R.R. MINISTERI CORSO. UMBERTO I 338.339.540 ROMA" on the padded white cotton inside lid, black felt base incorporating a recessed bed for the badge and a slotted medal bed for the breast star, measuring 105 mm (w) x 220 mm (h) x 32.5 mm (h), light scuffing evident on the bottom, case also near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was awarded in five degrees for civilian and military merit: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. Compared with the older Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus (1572), the Order of the Crown of Italy was awarded more liberally and could be conferred on non-Catholics as well. Eventually, it became a requirement for a person to have already received the Order of the Crown of Italy in at least the same degree before receiving the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. The order has been suppressed by law since the foundation of the Republic in 1946