Military Order of Savoy, Type II, Grand Cross
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.ITA.0127.201.01.000
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Italy, Kingdom. A Military Order of Savoy in Gold, Grand Cross Badge, c.1915
(Ordine militare di Savoia). Instituted 1815 by King Victor Emmanuel I. Italian Kingdom Period. Of high quality manufacture in Gold, featuring a white enameled Pison Cross, with detailed green and red enamel laurel and olive branches in each quadrant, obverse centre depicting a white enameled cross of Savoy, with inlaid Gold inscription AL MERITO MILITARE (To Military Merit) on a red enameled background, reverse featuring the restructure date of 1855 and two crossed swords with the initials V E (Victor Emmanuel), adorned by a hollow Italian royal crown in Gold, marked twice by the letter “B” on edge of order body, measuring 66.43 mm (w) x 102.78 mm (h - inclusive of crown suspension), 33.3 grams, with evidence of previous lacquering, enamel loss on 12 o'clock arm and reverse centre, accompanied by an original silk sash badge, very fine.
The Order was founded by King Victor Emmanuel I, and it was awarded to military personnel in recognition of acts of honour, bravery, and merit during times of war; it was rarely awarded to foreigners. This Order was conferred upon all military personnel of all ranks.
In 1833, King Charles Albert instituted the Military Medal of Valour to circumvent the strict awarding criteria within the Order and reward all soldiers within the military for meritorious service, regardless of rank. The institution of this medal caused the Order to fall into disuse until it was re-organized in 1855.
Thus the Order Statutes were amended by King Victor Emmanuel II on September 28, 1855, resulting in a new design for the Order awards, and the addition of the grades of Grand Officer and Officer.
Following the fall of the Monarchy in 1946, the Order was not discontinued, it was renamed the Military Order of Italy on January 2, 1947.
The first three grades of the Type II crosses feature a surmounting gold-coloured crown. The Officer grade features a trophy of arms and flags surmounting the award, and the Knight grade has nothing but a suspension ring surmounting the award.
The Grand Cross and Grand Cross Breast Star was limited to 12 recipients.
This Order is re-instituted during the Italian Republic as the Military Order of Italy. See ITA471, Military Order of Italy, in the Orders of the Italian Republic for more information.
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