Vatican. A Pontifical Equestrian Order Of St. Gregory The Great, I Class Grand Cross Case, C.1930

(Ordine di San Gregorio Magno). Instituted in 1831. Pius XI (1922-1939). Hardshelled design on both the lid and base, wooden-framed, with a red smooth-pebbled exterior on all sides, Vatican coat-of-arms bearing the arms of Pope Pius XI (born 1857, died 1939, Papacy 1922-1939) within an ornate border in gold-coloured ink on the lid, the inside lid lined in white satin, padded and maker marked "TANFANI & BERTARELLI ROMA", the lining exhibiting the impressions of the once present badge and breast star, a white fabric-wrapped cardboard insert placed within the base, the base with a white fabric-wrapped cardboard bottom, raised platform in white felt with framed and slotted medal beds for the badge and breast star, respectively, push release latch, dual-hinged, measuring 132 mm in width x 275 mm in length x 81 mm in depth, wear and light soiling evident on the exterior, with part of the covering peeling away on the bottom, wear evident in the fabric overlying the hinged area, lightly soiled white felt medal bed, fine.

Footnote: The Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great was established on September 1, 1831, by Pope Gregory XVI, seven months after his election to that seat by the College of Cardinals. The Order of St. Gregory the Great is one of the five Orders of Knighthood of the Holy See. The honour is bestowed upon Roman Catholic men and women (and sometimes in rare cases to non-Catholics) in recognition of their personal service to the Holy See and to the Roman Catholic Church, through their unusual labours, their support of the Holy See, and their excellent examples set forth in their communities and their countries. The Order of St. Gregory the Great has four "classes" in civil and military divisions: Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the First Class, Knight/Dame Commander with Star, Knight/Dame Commander and Knight/Dame.