Vatican, State. An Advocate Order Of St. Peter, Second Class Badge, c.1900

(Ordine di San Pietro). Instituted 1877. 1877-1909 issued. Of French manufacture, in bronze gilt featuring an enameled white four-armed cross with ball finials and gilded scaled border in bronze gilt, featuring clusters of three gilded rays in each quadrant, with centre displaying an etched portrait of St. Peter surrounded by an enameled blue border with the inscription AVVOCATI DI SAN PIETRO, reverse with central pin assembly, measuring 53 (w) x 82mm (h - inclusive of crossed keys suspension), presenting minor gilt loss, on replacement ribbon, very fine. 

Footnote: The Advocates of Saint Peter was founded in 1877 as body of jurists, whose main object was the defense of the Holy See in its rights and privileges against the Italy unification. Its statues were confirmed by Leo XIII on July 5, 1878. The society was formed on the occasion of the Golden Episcopal Jubilee of Pope Pius IX, and the Advocate Count Cajetan Agnelli of the Malherbi, of Rome. The society has spread rapidly over the Catholic world, and the branches of society were found in many countries. Colleges of the Advocates of St. Peter, existed in Italy, England, Austria, France, Spain, Germany, Canada and South America. All of these bodies were affiliated to the directory in Rome. The body was later transformed into an chivalric order; however, it was suppressed in 1909.