A complete grand Cross set: Sash Badge in Gold, the arms with translucent, green enamel on both sides; red enameled centre medallion with white patriarch’s cross, sided by the golden initials “M” and “T”, rising from a chiseled crown, resting on three, green enameled mounts, white enameled outer circlet bearing the black painted inscription “PUBLICUM MERITORUM PRAEMIUM”; white enameled reverse centre medallion, bearing the inscription “STO. ST:RI AP” (“Sancto Stephano Regi Apostolico” (to St. Stephen, the Apostolic King), bordered by a stylized, enamel-painted laurel wreath; upper loop of baroque style (struck with a “H” mark), and grooved, long suspension ring, fitted with a section of the order’s ribbon with button-holes, through which is inserted a separate, golden, uniface St. Stephen’s crown, whose reverse is fitted with golden retaining bars; with two Grand Cross sashes for wear on the priest’s robe, around the neck; Breast Star with chiseled and pierced silver rays, the centre in gold with red enameled medallion with separately-made, white enameled patriarch’s cross sided by chiseled, golden initials “M” and “T”, rising from three green enameled mounts; beaded golden borderand white enameled outer circlet enriched by a beautifully- made, green enameled oak wreath, enclosed by a larger, beaded border in gold and a further one in silver, with stylized, ornament; the reverse, fitted with vertical pin; in the original, red morocco case of issue, with ornamented outer lid and fitted, inner compartment. Together, from the same property, a cast bronze uniface medallion (work of C. Voigt, 1850), commemorating the Cardinal’s appointment as Nuntius in Vienna.
An outstandingly rare set of the order, still with the 1st type badge, as awarded at the creation of the order, in the 18th Century with separate crown to be used as a “buckle” to secure the sash; the accompanying star, consistent to this set, can be dated to 1840-50; excellent condition.
Dim.: the badge, 95,0 x 50,0 mm.; the star, dia. 80,0 mm.
Provenance: the estate of Cardinal Michele Viale-Prelà (1798-1860), born in Bastia, Corsica from an aristocratic family, he became a priest at an early age; moved to Rome, he studied theology at the Sapienza University of Rome, earning the doctorate; secretary of a prominent cardinal in Rome, he then moved to Switzerland as an auditor to the Nuntiature (1828-36). He was then Nuntius in Vienna from 1845, keeping the diplomatic contacts between Austria and the Holy See, after the revolution of 1848-49, obtaining the agreement between the Emperor of Austria and the Pope. Cardinal in 1853, he remained as a Pronuntiusin Austria, until 1856, when he was created Archbishop of Bologna, where he held the see, until his death in 1860, being buried in the S. Petronio Cathedral of Bologna. He was a strong opponent of liberalism and constitutionalism, refusing to recognize the Italian authority, once Bologna passed to the Kingdom of Italy, in 1859. I RR!