Sweden, Kingdom. An Order Of The North Star, Commander Grand Cross Collar Chain

The multi-link chain in silver gilt and housing twenty-four icons, consisting of twelve 40 mm (w) x 39 mm (h) cyphers of King Frederick I of Sweden in silver gilt and blue enamels, with rings at the four exterior points for attachment to the chain, along with twelve 35 mm (w) x 37 mm (h) stars in silver gilt and white enamels, with rings at the star points at 5, 7 and 12 o'clock for attachment to the chain, one of the stars with a hook on its reverse for the suspension of the 54.7 mm (w) x 80.5 mm (h) collar badge, the badge in silver gilt with red, white and blue enamels, unmarked, as are all the pieces on the chain, the chain measuring approximately 1,700 mm in length, with intact enamels, a few links of chain missing in two locations, near extremely fine. In a hardshelled case, wooden-framed with a black velvet exterior, white satin lining on the inside lid, concave black velvet medal bed, wear spots in multiple locations on the black velvet exterior and wear evident on blue papered bottom, both of which expose the underlying wooden frame, case very fine.

Footnote: The Order of the North Star (AKA Order of the Polar Star) is a Swedish order of chivalry created by King Frederick I on February 23, 1748, together with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Seraphim. Until 1975, it was intended as a reward for Swedish and foreign "civic merits, for devotion to duty, for science, literary, learned and useful works and for new and beneficial institutions". Its motto is, as seen on the blue enameled centre of the badge, "Nescit Occasum", a Latin phrase meaning "It knows no decline". This is to represent that Sweden is as constant as a never setting star. The Order's colour is black. This was chosen so that when wearing the black sash, the white, blue and golden cross would stand out and shine as the light of enlightenment from the black surface. The choice of black for the Order's ribbon may also have been inspired by the black ribbon of the French Order of St. Michael, which at the time that the Swedish order was instituted, was also awarded to meritorious civil servants. After the reorganization of the orders in 1975, the order is only awarded to foreigners and members of the royal family. It is often awarded to foreign office holders (such as prime and senior ministers) during Swedish state visits. It is also awarded to junior members of royal families who would not qualify for the more prestigious Royal Order of the Seraphim. It is awarded in five classes: Commander Grand Cross (KmstkNO: the badge on a collar (chain) or on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest); Commander 1st Class (KNO1kl, the badge on a necklet, plus the star on the left chest), Commander (KNO, the badge on a necklet), Knight 1st Class (RNO1kl/LNO1kl, the badge on a ribbon on the left chest) and Knight (RNO/LNO, the badge on a ribbon on the left chest).