Norway, Kingdom. A Royal Order Of Saint Olaf In Gold, I Class Commander, By J. Tostrup Of Oslo, C.1900

(Den Kongelige Norske Sankt Olavs Orden). Instituted in 1847. Civil Division, Type I, 1873-1905 Issue. In Gold with red, white and blue enamels, of fine quality manufacture, weighing 29.7 grams, marked "750" (Gold) and maker marked "J.T." (Jacob Tostrup of Oslo) on the reverse of the loop suspension, the badge consisting of an enameled white Maltese Cross in Gold with ball finials, featuring stylized crowned monographs "O" (for Oscar I) in each quadrant also in Gold, 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 Gold Norwegian Royal Crown with enameled details, measuring 59.8 mm (w) x 83.8 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and laterally-pierced ball suspension, scattered fine chipping evident in the white enamels on the jewels at the base of the crown on both sides, on its original neck ribbon with tassels, 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.