Civil Merit Order of St. Louis, III Class Knight
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.ITA.0106.107.01.000
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A fine French made example in silver, with delicately white enameled arms and an obverse Gold centre crest depicting an enamels Saint Louis, presented in the French style, reverse crest also in Gold and blue enamels depicting 3 fleur-de-lys, silver hallmarked on ring with boars head denoting French silver guarantee manufactured 1838+, measuring 45 mm (w) x 48 mm (h - inclusive of integral horizontally pierced ball suspension, with some white enamel loss and period repairs, with original ribbon, near very fine.
The Civil Merit Order of St. Louis was initially founded in the Duchy of Lucca in 1836 by Charles Louise (Charles II). His son, Charles III Duke of Parma, revived the Order at Parma, on August 11, 1849, as an award of merit.
The Parma branch of the Order was expanded to reward extraordinary merit within civil services and have five grades.
Membership to the Order was primarily restricted to noble Catholics but was open to Protestants in cases of extreme merit.
When a non-noble became the recipient of the Grand Cross or Commander grades they were bestowed with hereditary nobility. If they were the recipient of the I Class or II Class Knight grade, they were only granted with personal nobility that was withdrawn following their death.
The Grand Master of the Order, who was always the Duke of Parma, was the only member of the Order who was permitted to add brilliants to their awards.
The maximum membership numbers for each grade excluded reigning princes and foreigners.
The III Class Knight was restricted to a maximum of 100 members and does not feature a surmounting crown.
See the Civil Merit Order of St. Louis in the Orders of the Duchy of Lucca for more information.
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