Norway, Kingdom. An Order Of Saint Olaf In Gold, I Class Commander, Civil Division, By J. Tostrup Of Oslo

(Den Kongelige Norske Sankt Olavs Orden). Instituted in 1847. Type III (post 1937). In silver gilt with red, white and blue enamels, type III without a lion on top of the crown, maker marked "J.T." (Jacob Tostrup of Oslo) and marked "925S" (silver) on the reverse of the loop suspension, the badge consisting of an enameled white Maltese Cross, incorporating ball finials on all eight points of the arms of the cross, featuring stylized crowned monographs "O" (for Oscar I) in each quadrant, obverse centrepiece exhibiting a superposed heraldic Norwegian Lion on a red enameled background, reverse centrepiece inscribed "RET OG SANDHED" (Justice and Truth), the badge surmounted by a Norwegian Royal Crown with enameled details, measuring 63.8 mm (w) x 89.3 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, intact enamels, original full-length neck ribbon with snap closure, extremely fine. Accompanied by its Rosette, measuring 9 mm in diameter, with button hole attachment, in its hardshelled case of issue, exterior in a brown thatched-look design, the lid bearing the Norwegian Royal Crown and inscribed "DEN KGL. NORSKE St. OLAVS ORDEN" in gold-coloured ink, inside lid in white satin, padded and maker marked with the Jacob Tostrup of Oslo "TOSRUP 1832" insignia, base with a raised platform in red velvet that features a recessed medal bed, with a sticker placed in the base inscribed in Norwegian "K" (Kommandør = Commander) and "Sivilt" (Civil), along with being named and inscribed in Italian to "Dr. David Pellegrini, Cap Segr. Presidenziale" (Chief Presidential Secretary), measuring 87.5 mm (w) x 147.5 mm (h) x 41.5 mm (d), case also extremely fine.

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.