Italy, Kingdom. A Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order Of Saint John Of Jerusalem, Commander Hold of French WWI period manufacture

of French WWI period manufacture

maker marked "Vanguard" on the reverse

59 cm in the arms

33 mm x 40 mm each)

Italy, Kingdom. A Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order Of Saint John Of Jerusalem, Commander Hold of French WWI period manufactureCross of Merit. In silver gilt with red and white enamels, unmarked, measuring 52. 5 mm (w) x 88. 5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and integral ring suspension, on its original full length neck ribbon, intact enamels, extremely fine. 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