Sacred Military Constantinian Order Of Saint George Knight Grand Cross Medal
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:9915903 | Country/Region of Manufacture: Italy |
Rare 19th century sterling silver and guilloché enamel Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George pendant. This came from a Los Angeles estate, separately from the grand cross I have listed. The Order is full of Italian and French royalty, going back over four hundred years, making it a very exclusive membership, and very few of these crosses ever make it out into general circulation.Measures approximately 1.5” x 1.5”. Weight 8.6 grams. Condition: both metal and enamel... are in mint condition without any damage or repairs, with original patina.
From Wikipedia: The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George is a Roman Catholic order of chivalry. It was fictively established by Constantine the Great, though, in reality, it was founded some time between 1520 and 1545 by two brothers belonging to the Angeli Comneni family. Members of the Angeli Comneni family remained grand masters throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.In 1699, Francesco Farnese, Duke of Parma was recognized as grand master. In 1731, his son and successor, Antonio Farnese, Duke of Parma, died without male heirs. He was succeeded by the first Bourbon grand master, Charles, Duke of Parma (later King Charles III of Spain). Since that time, members of the House of Bourbon have been grand masters of the order.Owing to various family disputes, the grand magistracy was, until 2014 claimed by three rivals, all princely members of the House of Bourbon: • Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro[1][2] • Infante Carlos of Spain, Duke of Calabria[3][4][5] • Prince Carlos, Duke of Parma[6]There are approximately 2, 800 of the Franco-Neapolitan branch and 1, 800 members of the Hispano-Neapolitan branch.The motto of the Order is In Hoc Signo Vinces ("in this sign you will conquer").
