Grand Cross Set of the Order, Civil Division. Sash Badge, 74 x 57 mm., White GOLD as a white enameled five pointed star designed in a moresque style with ball- finials, dark green enameled centre medallion bearing a crescent, within red enameled outer circlet, forming the latin, capital letter “O”; smooth and polished, slightly concave reverse, the lower arm struck with guarantee and maker’s marks, suspension ring as a stylized palm leaf, with round link to append the badge to the original, full length sash riband. Breast Star, 98 x 85 mm., White GOLD as a white enameled six pointed star of moresque design flanked by crescents and with ball-finials, white-gold centre emdallion embossed with archaic, Arab calligraphic inscription enclosed in a red enameled “O”, green enameled outer circlet bearing Arab, calligraphic inscription, smooth, polished reverse with vertical pin, aside the pin’s catch, struck with maker’s and guarantee marks, complete with miniature in WHITE GOLD and enamels with its proper ribbon and the ribbon bar, in the original red case of issue with ivory velvet fitted inner compartment and silk inner cushion, the lid with silver embossed symbol of Oman, with original bestowal letter from the Emirate’s court and with a visit card of the owner, Dr. Corrado Orlandi-Contucci, former Chief of the Diplomatic Ceremonial of the Republic of Italy.
An extremely rare group, even more important for being complete with the award document to a prominent personality of Italy’s diplomacy, excellent condition and precious manufacture.
note: Corrado Orlandi-Contucci (1914–2017); descendant of an aristocratic family of the Abruzzi region, served in the Royal Italian Army as a cavalry officer, at a young age he entered in the diplomatic service, where he was sent as a Consul in France, then seeing service as Ambassador in Jugoslavia, Egypt, Luxembourg and Western Germany; returned in service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was granted the title of Chief of the Diplomatic Ceremonial (Protocol) at the Presidency of the Republic, from 1968 to 1976, under the Presidents Giuseppe Saragat and Giovanni Leone, he was also appointed as Italy’s Diplomatic representative within the NATO. I RR!