WW1 – WW2 ITALY ORDER OF COLONIAL MERIT COMMANDER MEDAL

Good condition and original Italian Colonial Order of the Star of Italy, 3rd class (Commander). Good condition 50mm high five-pointed white enamel star with gilt ball-tipped finials on laterally-pierced 26mm high gilded crown and loop suspension. The face with a circular central red enamel medallion bearing the imposed crowned cipher of King Vittorio Emanuele III within a green enamel ring dated in gilt numerals ‘1911’; the reverse with a circular central red enamel medallion inscribed in gilt letters ‘AL MERITO COLONIALE’ (for Colonial Merit); small chip to top star point. Comes with the full length 61cm long silken neck ribbon with brass hook and eye attatchment. Age patina and darkening overall. A maximum of only 20 commanders grade orders could be awarded per year between 1914 and 1943, making this a relatively rare piece.