19 Order of Saint Ludwig, Grand Cross Set Presented to Alfonso of Bourbon - Sicily Graf of Caserta (1841-1934).
This grand cross features gold and enameled craftsmanship and comes with a beautiful, sewn original sash made of the finest Moireé silk with a large ribbon bow.
This silver breast star features a separately applied cross of the order with pin hardware to reverse with attachment hooks. The lilies of the order's cross are finely sculpted and feature superb enamel work and is finely chased. The medallion is made in three parts and shows chips to the blue font.
The order of Saint Ludwig also known as the order of Saint Ludwig for Civil Merit, was founded on 22 December 1836 by Duke Charles II Louis of Lucca. The awarding of the Grand or the Commander's Cross along with the other classes, personally connected the nobility together. The order was abolished in 1883.
After Duke Charles II took over the government in Parma in 1847 and the Duchy of Lucca fell under the control of the Duchy of Tuscany, the order was included in the series of parmanesian orders. Duke Charles III of Parma issued new statutes to the order on 11 August 1849 and awarded it in five classes, with a limited number of members.
Grand Cross-20 Members
Commander - 30 Members
Knights-1st Class 60 Members
Knight II Class 80 members
Holders Cross-100 Members
The emblem of the order is a cross of lilies and features on the obverse in the center a blue enamelled coat of arms with the effigy of Saint Ludwig in golden armor. From 1849 the coat of arms shield was supplemented by the inscription "DEUS ET DIES". On the reverse, three Golden bourbon lilies are featured in the coat of arms.
From 1849, a crown was also attached between the cross and the ring.
Alfonso Maria Giuseppe Alberto of Naples-Sicily, better known as Alfonso Maria of Bourbon-Sicily, count of Caserta (28 March 1841-26 May 1934) was a member of the House of Bourbon-Sicily. After the death of his half-brother Francis II, King of both Sicilies, he became "pretender to the throne" of the Royal House of both Sicilies (Naples).
His Royal Highness Prince Alfonso was the third son of twelve children of King Ferdinand II of Naples-Sicily (1810-1859) and his second wife Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria (1816-1867), the eldest daughter of Archduke Charles of Austria-Teschen and Princess Henriette Alexandrine of Nassau-weilburg.
After the death of his half-brother Francis II, the king of the two Sicilies (1836-1894) recognized the legitimeze of L'unione Meridionale, Associazione operaia monarchica and Circolo Ferdinando Pio della Gioventù studentesca legittimista - whose brother Alfonso, count of Caserta, as "the king" (Alfonso I). He had distinguished himself at Mentana in the Pontifical Swiss guard, especially in Spain during the Carlist wars, as leader of the northern troops. He acted as" pretender to the throne of Naples", and it was only in the last part of his long life, after the reconciliation between the church and the state of Italy, that he restored relations with the Italian royal family.
It was therefore self-evident that after his death in May 1934, his first-born son Ferdinando Pio, Duke of Calabria, no longer followed as "pretender of the throne", but only bore the title of "head of the House of Bourbon of both Sicilies". In this sense, the statutes of the ordine costantiniano di San Giorgio, of which the Grand Master was traditionally the king of Naples, were also redesigned. Carlo, the second eldest, had renounced in 1900 all the claims that had grown up for him due to his belonging to the Neapolitan line. He became naturalized in Spain through his marriage to the Princess of Asturias. Therefore, at the death of Ferdinand, the title of head of the family went to Ranieri, Duke of Castro (1883-1973). This was not without some resistance on the part of the Infante Alfonso de Bourbon-Sicily (1901-1964), who, as the son of Prince Carlos, was supported by the Spanish "pretender to the throne", Don Juan. After the fall of the Spanish monarchy, he considered his father's renunciation of the title of Prince of Naples null and void. His father had solemnly made this renunciation before the Cortes in Madrid. The Italian judicial authorities proved him right by a verdict. After Ranieri's death in 1973, he was succeeded as head of the family and as Grand Master of the order by his son Ferdinand, also Duke of Castro.
Grand Cross of hardly surpassing jeweler quality. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and rare orders of the ancient Italian states.
Magnificent Grand Cross set, made around 1850-1860 and from the estate of the bourbon "pretender to the throne". Of the great rarity and historical interest.
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