Norway, Kingdom. A Royal Order Of Saint Olaf In Gold, I Class Knight, C.1890

Den Kongelige Norske Sankt Olavs Orden. Instituted in 1847. Type I (1847-1905). A finely made award in 18K Gold with red, white, blue and green enamels, weighing 17.7 grams inclusive of its ribbon, measuring 38.8 mm (w) x 56.8 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, intact enamels, original ribbon with ring suspension sewn in place on the reverse, near mint.

Footnote: The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav is a Norwegian order of chivalry instituted by King Oscar I on August 21, 1847. It is named after King Olav II, known to posterity as St. Olav. Just before the union with Sweden was dissolved in 1905, the Order of the Norwegian Lion was instituted in 1904 by King Oscar II, but no appointments were awarded by his successor, King Haakon VII. The Order of St. Olav thus became the kingdom's only order of chivalry for the next eighty years. The Grand Master of the order is the reigning monarch of Norway. It is used to reward individuals for remarkable accomplishments on behalf of the country and humanity. Since 1985, appointments to the order has only been conferred upon Norwegian citizens, though foreign heads of state and royalty may be appointed as a matter of courtesy.