Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a Knight Grade Order of the Crown of Italy. 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. Today the Order of the Crown has been replaced by the Order of Merit of Savoy and is still conferred on new knights by the current head of the house of Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples.

The order has been suppressed by law since the foundation of the Republic in 1946. However, Umberto II 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 maroon leatherette case is in lovely condition for its age, but does have minor discrepancies with it. The interior maroon and beige satin/velvet lining is in wonderful condition and the top satin lining has an imprint of the medal visible, meaning it has been paired 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.