Order of St. Sylvester, Knight
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.VAT.0105.107.01.001
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(Ordine di San Silvestro Papa). Instituted 1841. 1841-1870 issue. An early example in Gold, possibly of French manufacture, consisting of an enameled white Maltese Cross, with a rotating spur on the 6 o’clock arm, featuring clusters of Gold rays in each quadrant, obverse centre exhibiting a superposed Gold portrait of St. Sylvestre on an enameled blue field, surrounded by the inscription SANC. SILVESTER P.M., plain reverse with central medallion depicting the institution date MDCCCXLI (1841) encircled by the inscription GREGORUS XVI RESTITUTIVIT, measuring 38.21 mm (w) x 43.68 (h - inclusive of integral ring), weighting 9.7 grams, presenting cracked white enamels, on early 20th century ribbon, extremely fine.
This Order was founded to compensate for the degradation of the Order of the Golden Militia. Amendments were made to the Order of the Golden Militia in 1841 that restricted the number of members, and these new statutes were the foundation of the Order of St. Sylvester. In 1905, Pope Pius X reorganized the Holy See’s honours and divided the Order of the Golden Militia into two separate Orders, the Order of St. Sylvester and the Order of the Golden Militia/Golden Spur.
The Order of St. Sylvester is awarded by the Pope to Catholics who are actively involved in the everyday activities of the church. It is also conferred upon individuals who have rendered professional and civil service in the realm of art, science, and literature that have benefited the church. The modern Order may also be awarded to non-Catholic recipients and women.
The Order is composed of four grades, Grand Cross with Grand Cross Breast Star, Grand Officer with Grand Officer Breast Star, Commander, and Knight.
Recipients are bestowed with a prefix after being emitted into the Order, with Knight for men and Dame for women.
See Order of the Golden Militia VAT101 in the Orders of the Vatican for more information.
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