Beschreibung

Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav [Kongelige Norsk St. Olavsorden]. 1st model (with royal cipher of king Oscar I between the cross arms - 1847-1906), grand cross breast star, 75.6 x 74.6 mm, manufacturing of Carlman in Stockholm between 1860 and 1882, silver brillanté, gold and enamels, 54.3 g, some hairline cracks in the white enamels, with pin. BWK3 74.
Sehr selten / Very rare. Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine.
(~€ 4’675/USD 5’495)
The originally three-class (Grand Cross, Commander and Knight) order for civil and military merit was instituted by King Oscar I of Sweden and Norway (1799-1859, reigned since 1844) for the Kingdom of Norway in Union with Sweden. According to Hallberg (Hallberg, Harald: Norske dekorasjoner - Tildelt med bånd til å bæres på uniform eller sivilt antrekk. Without place 2010. Pages 35 and 36) between 1860 and 1882 a total number of 279 were awarded to Norwegians, Swedes and foreigners. But due to the strict return obligations of the insignia after the holder’s death - they were conferred again - the number of pieces actually produced is much smaller, and the number of pieces available today even smaller.