International. A Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem Grand Cross Set, c. 1950

(Italian: Sovrano Militare Ordine Ospedaliero di San Giovanni di Gerusalemme di Rodi e di Malta; Latin: Supremus Militaris Ordo Hospitalarius Sancti Ioannis Hierosolymitani Rhodiensis et Melitensis). Instituted in 1099. A gilt-edged white enamel cross moline, on a crown suspension, the obverse centerpiece bearing a Maltese cross in white enamel on a red enamel background, encircled by a white enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘MIL. ORDO EQUITUM MELIT. BENE MERENTI’, the reverse with a central circular red enamel medallion with the date ‘A.D. MCMXX’ (AD 1920) encircled by a plain white enamel ring, measures 101 mm (h) x 60 mm (w), worn on sash ribbon, enamels intact, extremely fine. Accompanied by the Order’s star, an eight point star in silver gilt, a Royal crown at the 12 o’clock arm, the obverse bearing a white enamel cross with a centerpiece consisting of a Maltese cross in white enamel on a red enamel background, encircled by a white enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘MIL. ORDO EQUITUM MELIT. BENE MERENTI’, reverse marked E GARDINO SUCC. CRAVANZOLA, vertical pin suspension, measuring 89 mm (h) x 89 mm (w), weighs 91.46 grams, enamels intact, in extremely fine condition. Housed in its original red case of issue, white satin interior marked Cravanzola Succ Gardino, red velvet medal bed, marked CRAVANZOLA SUCC. GARDINO ROMA, measures 13.5 cm (w) x 30 cm (l) x 6 cm (d), exterior showing scratches, areas of discolouration and wear, hinge and clasps functional, remains in very fine condition. 

Footnote: The Order, often popularly referred to as the ‘Knights of Malta’, was in existence certainly as long ago as the early years of the 12th Century and is still extant today. Originally based in Jerusalem, the Order moved to Tripoli following the capture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187 and to Rhodes by way of Cyprus after the fall of Acre in 1291. In 1522 Suleiman the Magnificent took Rhodes and the Order scattered. Charles V granted the Order the island of Malta and the Order settled here from 1530 to 1798 when Napoleon Bonaparte captured the island en route for Egypt. In 1834 the order established a new headquarters in Rome and took on its current humanitarian and ceremonial role with Grand Masters being appointed by the Pope. The Cross of Merit was founded in 1916 by Grand Master Thun von Hohenstein of the Grand Priory of Austria. In 1920, the award of the Cross was widened so that the Grand Master of the Order in Rome may award it to any individual, whether Catholic or not, who has rendered outstanding service to the Order. A striking example in superb condition.