Italy, Republic. An Order Of Merit, I Class Grand Cross, By E.gardino, C.1955 Auction Archive chipping in the white enamels

chipping in the white enamels along with the first Gold "A" on "CREADA" having dropped off on the reverse centrepiece

inscribed “1942”

horses were also recruited from British horse breeding societies and from the Board of Fisheries and Agriculture

marked "14K 1/50 RGP" (Rolled Gold Plate) on the reverse

Footnote: K

Italy, Republic. An Order Of Merit, I Class Grand Cross, By E.gardino, C.1955 Auction Archive chipping in the white enamels(Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana). Instituted in 1951. Badge: in silver gilt with red, white and green enamels, measuring 71 mm (w) x 96 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, chipping and loss evident in the red enamels at the base of the crown, on its original full length sash incorporating a decorative moir pattern; and Breast Star: insignia in silver gilt with white enamels, mounted to an eight pointed star base, each star point with