Italy, Kingdom of Two Sicilies. A Royal Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit, Grand Cross Breast Star, in Gold, c. 1805 Archive (HJ Folio)

(HJ Folio)

chipping evident in the blue enamels on the centrepiece ring on the reverse

an exceptionally well-preserved example in near mint condition

the Todd family returned to Portsmouth

Italy, Kingdom of Two Sicilies. A Royal Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit, Grand Cross Breast Star, in Gold, c. 1805 Archive (HJ Folio)(Ordine Reale di San Ferdinando e al Merito). Instituted April 1, 1800 by Ferdinand IV, King of Naples. An early Napoleonic star, a silver star with clusters of delicately faceted rays, with a faceted Fleur de Lis in each quadrant, the obverse medallion featuring a Gold and enamelled figure of St. Ferdinand superimposed on a Gold disc, encircled by a blue enamelled ring inscribed FIDEI ET MERITO in the bottom half, the reverse offers a dual pronged