Sweden, Kingdom. A Royal Order Of The Sword, Grand Cross Set

(Kungliga Svärdsorden). Instituted in 1748. Type IV (1954 and on), Badge: multi-piece construction, in Gold with royal blue and white enamels, weighing 31.6 grams, unmarked, measuring 54.5 mm (w) x 78.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, intact enamels, on its full-length sash that incorporates a decorative moiré pattern; and Breast Star: multi-piece construction, centrepiece insignia in silver with light blue enamels, mounted to a silver cross base, with flat arms on the cross and crowns placed upon a protruding point in between the arms, marked with a swan denoting a French import on the pin, measuring 82 mm (w) x 81 mm (h), vertical pinback, crazing along with a large gouge evident in the light blue enamels on the centrepiece insignia, the arm at 12 o'clock with its tips bent back slightly. Extremely fine and better than very fine, respectively. In their hardshelled case of issue, bright red dimpled exterior, inside lid in gold-coloured satin and maker marked "C. F. Carlman STOCKHOLM", base with a flip-up platform in red felt that incorporates a recessed medal bed for the Breast Star, measuring 137 mm (w) x 228 mm (h) x 53.5 mm (d), very light discoloration evident in the white cardboard-lined base, case extremely fine.

Footnote: The Royal Order of the Sword is a Swedish order of chivalry and military decoration created by King Frederick I of Sweden on February 23, 1748, together with the Order of the Seraphim and the Order of the Polar Star. It is awarded to officers, and originally intended as an award for bravery and particularly long or useful service, eventually becoming a more or less obligatory award for military officers after a certain number of years in service. There were originally three grades: Knight, Commander and Commander Grand Cross, but these were later multiplied by division into classes. The Order of the Sword in peacetime had five classes: Commander Grand Cross, I Class Commander, Commander, I Class Knight and Knight. The motto of the order is in Latin: "Pro Patria" (For Fatherland).