Catalog - Auction 68 - The Western Powers

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ORDER OF SAINT GREGORY
A most early Grand Cross Set for Military. Sash Badge, 84x49 mm., GOLD, red enameled, dark blue enameled centre medallion with separately applied portrait of the saint in Gold, within chiselled outer circlet, reverse medallion also in gold with blue enameled centre, the arms’ reverse with finely engraved lines and stylized laurel leaves, trophy-of-arms suspension made of embossed and chiselled gold-sheet, round suspension ring, with original, silk sash. Breast Star, 78 mm., smooth Silver rays with superimposed order’s cross in GOLD with red enameled arms, blue enameled centre medallion with image of the saint in chiselled gold, golden outer circlet with raised, polished inscription, concave reverse, with thin, double, round pin. A very rare set, from the institution of the Order, almost pristine condition. I RR!

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ORDER OF SAINT GREGORY
Grand Officer's Set, instituted in 1831. Neck Badge, 83x56 mm, gilt Silver, enameled, original suspension wreath, loop and ribbon. Breast Star, 78 mm, Silver, maker's mark "Tanfani & Bertarelli", diamond cut rays, superimposed parts gilt, enameled, thin pin on reverse, in original case of issue by "Tanfani & Bertarelli - Roma" with gilt weapon on the lid. Beautiful complete set, in mint condition! I

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ORDER OF SAINT GREGORY
Commander's Cross, instituted in 1831. Neck Badge, 80x56 mm, GOLD., 35.5 g., enameled, blue enameled centre medallion with applied image of the saint within golden outer circlet with polished inscription and chiseled details, the reverse, with blue enameled medallion, within golden outer circlet with polished inscription on "frosted ground", upper loop, ring and suspension wreath, original, neck ribbon with tie. An old cross of superb quality, excellent condition. I R!

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ORDER OF SAINT GREGORY
Commander's Cross Case of issue, 3rd Class, instituted in 1831. Case of issue by "Tanfani&Bertarelli - Roma", with gilt weapon on the lid. A superb case in mint condition! I

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ORDER OF SAINT GREGORY
Jewelled Miniature, 17,0 x 12,0 mm, with 18 diamonds for a total of 0,109., gilt Silver. Profusely set with tiny rubies and diamonds, centre medallions in GOLD and blue enamel, green enameled suspension link, ribbon ring also enameled with diamonds, original ribbon with rosette. A beautiful miniature in the best, French quality from the end of 19th Century, excellent condition. I R!

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ORDER OF SAINT GREGORY
A Miniature of the Order`s badge, Military Class, instituted in 1831, 30x16 mm, in GOLD and enamels, some damage and loss to the centre medallions, otherwise a beautiful, early miniature of probable French manufacture. II- R!

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ORDER OF SAINT GREGORY
Officer's Cross Miniature, instituted in 1831. Breast Badge, 20x12 mm., GOLD, original suspension ring and ribbon. Mint stateI I

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Order of Our Lady of Bethlehem, instituted in 1459
Grand Cross Set Miniatures. Breast Badge, 26x14 mm, gilt Bronze, both sides enameled, original suspension trophee, ring and ribbon. Breast Star, 22 mm, gilt Bronze, superimposed part enameled, original suspension ring and ribbon. A beautiful rare set, in mint condition! I R!

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Order of Our Lady of Bethlehem, instituted in 1459
Grand Officer's Set Miniatures. Breast Badge, 26x15 mm, gilt Bronze, both sides enameled, original suspension trophee, ring and ribbon. Breast Star, 21 mm, gilt and silvered Bronze, superimposed part enameled, original suspension ring and ribbon. A beautiful rare set, in mint condition! I R!

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Gold “Bene Merenti” Medal for Military Merit
Breast Badge, 47x31 mm., GOLD, type awarded by Pope Pius X, round medal with bust of the Pope facing right, around, the inscription “PIUS . X . PONT . MAX.”, within green enameled laurel wreath, below, the medallist’s initials “P.M.”, rectangular loop on top, to which is hinged a beautifully embossed trophy of arms, fitted to the reverse with upper loop and round suspension ring, slightly concave reverse, the centre with the inscription “BENE / MERENTI” between a six- pointed star above and below, Jupiter’s bundle of lightnings, with original, silk ribbon and in the original, red morocco case of issue, the lid with gold embossed Pope Pius X’s coat of arms within a frame of floral ornaments and lines, ivory-colour velvet, fitted inner compartment. An extremely rare medal, awarded less than 10 times (1903–1914), exceptional quality, excellent condition and superb patina. I RR!

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Silver Bene Merenti Medal for Military Merit
Round Medallion with the bust of Pope Benedict XV (1915-1922) facing right, 50x32 mm, surrounded by the inscription "BENEDICTUS XV PONT. MAX." and below, right, the maker`s signature "S.J." (Stefano Johnson, Milan), within a separately-made laurel wreath with green enameled leaves and orange-red enameled berries and the bow tying the branches, the reverse with round medallion, bearing the motto "BENE MERENTI", and the well-visible, 4 thin tubes with inserted pins, mounting the medallion to the wreath, rectangular upper loop and finely chiseled Trophy suspension, large, round ring and original ribbon. An extremely rare decoration, superb condition. The Medal for Military Merit was the highest honour besides the Orders, given to Officers of the armed corps in defence of the Holy See, first instituted by Pope Gregorius XVI after the Napoleonic wars, then renewed by each subsequent Pope, until Paul VI. I RR!

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Gold Lateran Cross
1st Class, instituted in 1903. Breast Badge, 44 mm, GOLD, original suspension ring and ribbon. Extremely rare in gold! I RR!

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PILGRIM`S CROSS FOR JERUSALEM, instituted in 1901
Breast Badge, 45x43 mm, GOLD, 22 g., original suspension ring and ribbon. Extremely rare in gold! I RR!

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PILGRIM`S CROSS FOR JERUSALEM, instituted in 1901
Breast Badge, 45x43 mm, Silver, original suspension ring and ribbon with ornamented bar "JERUSALEM". Superb condition! I