ORDER OF THE ELEPHANT

Star of the Order in silver, center in gold and enamels, reduced size. Privately made star, measures 50.4x50.8mm, weighs 21.8 grams. Of very fine quality manufacture, mid Nineteenth Century, nearly extremely fine condition. Attributed to King Carl XV of Sweden, 1826-1872, who was the only recipient known to wear this Order in this size. The star was in possession of "Mynthuset" in Stockholm for the first time in the early 1980?s. The company and the owner had extremely good relationships with the Royal and Noble world of Sweden. The owner of "Mynthuset" died in the mid 1980?s and the business does not exist anymore, however in their old catalogues one can see the company handled several other orders from one of the estates of Carl XV. According to the leader of "Kungl. Livrustkammeret" in Stockholm Carl XV had all his Stars made in this smaller size when he became older to keep the weight down. Further, if one compares it to the star pictured (page 60) in Lars Stevnsborgs recent book on Danish orders it is clear both were struck from the same die, although the center medallion differs (hand tooled) and the Star pictured in the book have an extra "diamond" and thus longer rays. However, one can see from the other types pictured it became fashion to have a more round shaped stars during mid-1850, thus the rays were cut off and stars thus "rounded". Very rare.