Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare King Edward VII ‘Royal Souvenir’ attributed to Casiniro Gatto, Warrant Officer of the Royal Bodyguard of King Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy, as a memento of his visit to London in November 1903

Oval gold pendant badge with cut-out EVIIR cypher within Garter with motto enamelled in blue, surmounted by crown and small ring for suspension, 40mm x 20mm excluding ring, the reverse set with hinged swivel-mounted gold frame containing reversible hard stones of carnelian and bloodstone, unmarked, in its R. & S. Garrard & Co. fitted red velvet covered presentation case, velvet worn, otherwise in excellent condition and extremely rare £2,200-£2,600

Casiniro Gatto, head of the Squadron Carabinieri Guards of King Vittorio Emanuele III, was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in silver by Kind Edward VII on 30 April 1903, on the occasion of King Edward’s visit to Rome. It is believed that the above ‘Royal Souvenir’ was presented to Gatto by Edward VII on the occasion of the visit to Britain of King Vittorio Emanuele III on 17-21 November 1903. Sold with two group photographic images including Gatto and copied certificate from Ministry of Foreign Affairs allowing Gatto to be awarded the R.V.M.