Norway, Kingdom. An Order Of St. Olaf In Gold, I Class With Swords, C.1890

(Den Kongelige Norske Sankt Olavs Orden). Military Division. Type I (1873-1905). Instituted in 1030 by King Oscar I of Norway and Sweden. Consisting of a ball-tipped enameled white Maltese Cross in Gold, quadrant featuring stylized crowned monographs “O” for King Oscar I also in Gold, obverse centre exhibiting a superposed heraldic Norway Lion in silver gilt, with a red enameled background, the 12 o’clock arm superimposed by two enameled blue crossed swords, reverse depicting the inscription RET OG SANDHED (Justice and Truth) on an enameled red background, surmounted by a Norway Royal Crown in Gold and enameled details, with French hallmark denoting Paris import small Gold items since 1895, measuring 39.79 mm (w) x 60.47 mm (h - inclusive crown suspension), weighting 15.7 grams, presenting minor cracked white enamels, suspended by original breast ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: Established by King Oscar I of Norway and Sweden, this Order was instituted in commemoration of the Patron Saint of Norway, Saint Olaf, who died in the battle of Stiklestad in 1030.