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Commemorative Medal of Italian Unity (Medaglia commemorativa dell’Unità d’Italia 1848-1918), a decoration instituted in 1922 by the Kingdom of Italy to commemorate the culmination of Italian unification (Risorgimento), which began with the revolutions of 1848 and was considered completed following Italy’s victory in the First World War and the incorporation of additional territories into the kingdom.
The decoration was intended to recognize military personnel who had participated in campaigns associated with national unification. This example represents a variant associated with the Associazione Nazionale Madri e Vedove dei Caduti (National Association of Mothers and Widows of the Fallen), an organization dedicated to preserving the memory of Italian servicemen killed in war and representing their families.
The obverse depicts the left-facing portrait of King Victor Emmanuel III, surrounded by the inscription “VITTORIO EMANUELE III RE D’ITALIA”. Below the portrait appears the signature of the sculptor and medallist Salvatore Saponaro, marked “S. SAPONARO MOD.”.
The reverse features a laurel wreath, symbolizing victory and recognition, surrounding the inscription “UNITÀ D’ITALIA 1848-1918”. It also incorporates a reference to the Associazione Nazionale Madri e Vedove dei Caduti, distinguishing this variant from the standard commemorative medal.
The medal is suspended from a ribbon displaying the Italian national colours — green, white and red — arranged in repeated vertical stripes.
Commemorative Medal of Italian Unity 1848-1918, National Association of Mothers and Widows of the Fallen variant, featuring the portrait of Victor Emmanuel III and the signature of Salvatore Saponaro. Kingdom of Italy, instituted in 1922.
