Italy, Grand Duchy Of Tuscany. An Order Of Saint Stephen, Embroidered Star, C.1830 Auction vertical ball-hinge pinback as is

vertical ball-hinge pinback as is usual for this maker (with a repaired horizontal pin

in overall the ribbon has been severed and material fatigue is evident to the case

the reverse with a maker’s mark of “32

and one that came to assume a disproportionate importance in any assessment of his career

Italy, Grand Duchy Of Tuscany. An Order Of Saint Stephen, Embroidered Star, C.1830 Auction vertical ball-hinge pinback as is(Sacro Militare Ordine di Santo Stefano Papa e Martire). Instituted 1561. An early and embroidered Maltese Cross with red cloth arms and bullion wire border, the center features 8 smooth sequins and thin bullion coils, the reverse is reinforced with a paper backing, measures 63. 40mm (w) x 62. 05mm (h), weighs 1. 6 grams, areas of fraying at each arm tip, one smooth missing from the center, cracks and staining to reverse backing, however, a rare