Italy, Kingdom. An Order Of The Crown Of Italy In Gold, Ii Class Grand Officer Set, C.1890

(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 22.2 grams, unmarked, measuring 50.2 mm (w) x 53.5 mm (h) 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 "D. CRAVANZOLA SUCCi Flli BORANI ROMA" on the reverse cartouche, vertical pinback, measuring 76.8 mm (w) x 78 mm (h), intact enamels. Together, extremely fine. In their hardshelled case of issue, red pebbled exterior, monogram of King Umberto I (reign: January 9, 1878 - July 29, 1900) and framed within a perimeter rule in gold-coloured ink on the lid, inside lid in violet satin, padded, maker marked "Dco Cravanzola / Successore FRATELLI BORANI / Proveditore della R. CASA / e R.R. MINISTERI / Corso 338.339.340 / ROMA" and exhibiting the impression of the badge and breast star, base incorporating a raised platform with a recessed and slotted medal bed in violet felt, measuring 102 mm (w) x 220 mm (h) x 34 mm (d), light wear and soiling evident on the exterior, the two support ribbons that link the lid to the base have ripped and separated, case better than very 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.