Austria, Republic. An Order of the Knights of Malta, Grand Cross, by E. Gardino Cravanzola, c.1950

(Souveräner Ritter und Hospitalorden vom heiligen Johannes von Jerusalem von Rhodos und von Malta). Instituted circa 1099 (c. 1950 issue).

The Sash Badge, in silver, silver gilt and red and white enamels, consisting of a four point cross  bearing a central red enamelled medallion with a white enamelled Maltese Cross, surrounded by a white ring of enamels inscribed “Mil. Ordo. Equitum Melit. Bene Merenti” in gilt capitalized letters, the reverse medallion in red enamels with the inscription “A.D MCMXX”, the 12 o’clock arm is surmounted by a large hollow crown, measures 60.2mm (w) x 103.76mm (h - inclusive of integral ring above crown), weighs 40.0 grams, enamels intact, light gilt wear, remains in very fine condition.

The Breast Star, constructed of silver, silver gilt, and red and white enamels, consisting of a eight-pointed star, the obverse with a central cross with white enamelled arms bearing a central red enamelled medallion with a white enamelled Maltese Cross, surrounded by a white ring of enamels inscribed “Mil. Ordo. Equitum Melit. Bene Merenti” in gilt capitalized letters, the cross topped by a hollow Royal Crown, the reverse plain, with a raised hinge, tapered vertical pinback, and round wire catch, with a central silver medallion marked “E. Gardino Succ. Cravanzola, Roma, Via Del Corso 341” by the maker, also marked 800 on the pin denoting silver fineness, measuring 84.1 mm (w) x 86.7 mm (l), weighing 71.47 grams, enamels intact, in near extremely fine condition.