Italy, Kingdom. An Order Of The Crown Of Italy, Ii Class Grand Officer Set, By Gardino

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. Grand Officer Badge: multi-piece construction, in 18K Gold with red, white, green, blue and black enamels, weighing 17.7 grams, unmarked, measuring 49.8 mm (w) x 53 mm (h) inclusive of its inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, on its original full-length neck ribbon; and Grand Officer Breast Star: insignia in 18K Gold with red, white, green and blue enamels, affixed to an eight-pointed star base, the star with radiating facets and incorporating ball finials on the points, maker marked "CRAVANZOLA SUCCi Flli BORANI ROMA" on the reverse cartouche, vertical pinback, measuring 75 mm (w) x 75 mm (h), intact enamels. Together, extremely fine. In their hardshelled case of issue, red pebbled exterior, monogram of King Vittorio Emanuelle III and framed within a perimeter rule in gold-coloured ink on the lid, inside lid in white cloth, padded and maker marked "L RAVIOLO E. GARDINO / Successori / Dco CRAVANZOLA / Prov. Della R. CASA / E R.R. MINISTERI / CORSO UMBERTO I / 338 - 339 - 340 / ROMA", base with a raised platform with a recessed and slotted medal bed in black felt, measuring 109.5 mm (w) x 220 mm (h) x 37 mm (d), wear evident on the lid and exposing the underlying sub-structure of the case, along with scuffing overall on the exterior, case better than fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele III, 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.