Sweden – Royal Order of the Sword, commander II class

Description

The Order of the Sword was instituted on 23 February 1748 by King Fredrik I, reinstating an Order dating from the 12th Century, to be awarded to officers for long and faithful service.  

Gold and white enamel Maltese cross decussate with finials and with Swedish crowns between the arms, with crossed blue enamel swords above, beneath and on the sides intertangled with a ribbon.  On a jeweled swivel crown suspension. The face with a circular central deep blue enamel medallion bearing in gilt an upright sword and the three crowns of Sweden. The reverse with a circular central deep blue medallion bearing in gilt an upright sword imposed on a laurel wreath, inscribed ‘PRO PATRIA’ (Latin = for Fatherland); on original short ribbon in the national colors of Sweden mounted for wear. Made by C. F. Carlman, Swedish court jeweler in Stockholm.

The crown suspension was used from ca 1870-80 until ca 1910. On the obverse some hair thin cracks and a very small chip missing on the left upper arm, same observation on the reverse.