A Grand Cross set of the Order: Sash Badge in Gold with white enameled arms, bordered with sky- blue enamel and with ball-finials, flanked by white enameled letters composing the name “ESTE”, on golden ornaments; sky-blue enameled centre medallion with toned silver, crowned eagle, within white enameled outer circlet bearing the golden motto “PROXiMA SOLI” and the date of institution “MDCCClV”; white enameled reverse medallion, bearing the golden image of St. Conthardus, within sky-blue enameled outer circlet, bearing the golden inscription “s. CONTARDUS ATESTINUS”; green enameled, hinged suspension, composed of oak and laurel sprays; round ring; suspended to the original, full-length sash ribbon; breast star with silver, brilliant-cut and pierced rays, centered by “dagger” type ones, superimposed with the Order’s cross in gold and enamels; polished reverse, with vertical pin and maker’s escutcheon of Halley, Paris (the official maker to the Modenese court of this class).
A beautiful set of this order, extremely rare in this class, awarded to prominent personalities, national and foreign; excellent condition.
Provenance: the estate of Cardinal Giuseppe Berardi (1810 1878), an important and influent member of the Roman, papal Curia; before becoming a priest, he was married and had a daughter, securing a direct descent.
Dim.: the badge, 84,0 x 53,0 mm.; the star, Dia. 86 mm. I RR!