Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of a genuine WWI era Officer Order of the Crown of Italy with its original presentation box. 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.

Compared with the older Order of Saints Maurice and 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. However, Umberto II, the last King of Italy, did not abdicate his position as fons honorum and it remained under his Grand Mastership as a dynastic order. While the continued use of those decorations conferred prior to 1951 is permitted in Italy, the crowns on the ribbons issued before 1946 must be substituted for as many five pointed stars on military uniforms.

The badge of the order is a gilt cross with curved edges, enameled in white, with the so-called Savoy knots between the arms of the cross. The obverse central disc features the Iron Crown of Lombardy (as appeared on the Austrian Order of the Iron Crown) on a blue enamel background. The reverse central disc has a black-enameled eagle bearing the Savoy cross on a golden background. The ribbon of the order is all red with a ⅜” white vertical stripe. The rosette featured on the ribbon is present for having been awarded to an Officer.

The maroon leatherette case is in lovely condition for its age, but does have minor discrepancies with it. The front of the lid has a noticeable crack present running the width, and there is material loss over the brass hinge and can be seen from the outside of the case. The interior maroon and red satin/velvet lining is in wonderful condition and the top satin lining has an imprint of the medal visible, meaning it has been aired with this item for a very long time.

This is a wonderful opportunity to add a seldom seen Italian award to your collections. Comes more than ready for further research and display.