Antiques, Curios, Collectables, Taxidermy, Silver, Gold, Stamps, Bronze
Lot 121:
Description
A fine example of a mid-20th century Italian-made military insignia, specifically associated with the Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH), a NATO command established in Naples in 1951. The badge is designed as a shield with a notched top, featuring a raised, gilded relief of the winged Lion of Saint Mark set against a vibrant red guilloché enamel background. The lion holds an open book inscribed with PAX (Peace), a motif central to the heraldry of the Naples-based command. To the left of the lion is a single raised vertical bar. The reverse is finished with a gilt wash and bears the clear maker’s mark of Michele Stavolo, Napoli, along with the English text MADE IN ITALY. This indicates the piece was a private purchase or theatre-made item intended for Allied personnel, such as US or British forces stationed in Italy during the early Cold War period. The manufacturer, Michele Stavolo, was a well-regarded producer of high-quality jewellery and military insignia for international servicemen in the Naples area.
Share this lot:
