Italy - Civil Order of the Roman Eagle Breast Star in Silver

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Kingdom of Italy, WWII - Type I - Order of the Roman Eagle, Silver Grand Officer (2nd Class), Civil Breast Star (c.1942-1944) by E. Gardino Succ. Cravanzola of Rome. Grande Ufficiale dell'Ordine civile dell'Aquila Romana. Instituted Mark 14, 1942, by Vittorio Emanuele III of Savoy, the chivalry Order of the Roman Eagle was awarded foreigners who, through civil or military merit, had acquired merits towards Italy. There were 45 of these awarded, though more created. It is constructed out of a multi-piece die struck/stamped nickel-silver base that has been silver washed and contains multi-colored enamel work. The obverse features a centrally placed roundel of the Royal Eagle of the House of Savoy on a blue enamel background surrounded by a golden rim, which is on top of a white Pattée style cross with a green enameled laurel wreath visible to the corners. This all lies on a vaulted pebbled four-pointed silver star. The fullback reverse features a raised centrally soldered-on manufacturer roundel which features the Coat of Arms of the Regiment Saboya surrounded by “E. Gardino Succ. Cravanzola, Roma”. It also displays a soldered-on block hinge, a soldered-on c-shaped catch and coke bottle pin. There is some enamel damage to the blue center roundel. The reverse maker plate is slightly lifted. It measures 76mm wide and tall. This would have been awarded with the neck cross, however this is not included. A very rare order.