Sweden – Royal Order of Vasa, knight II class (Carlman)

Description

The Order of Vasa was instituted by King Gustaf III on 29 May 1772 to reward achievement in a number of fields then coming to prominence and importance, such as agriculture, technology and commerce. The knight II class was instituted in 1896 and is made entirely in silver and was only awarded to foreigners.   

White enamel ball-tipped Maltese cross with silver Swedish crowns between the arms, on crown suspension. The face with an oval central medallion bearing a gold sheaf, emblem of the Vasa dynasty, encircled by a red enamel ring inscribed in gilt characters “GUST. D. III INST. MDCCLXXII” (Gustaf III instituted 1772). The reverse is identical to the face. On original ribbon and in original fitted case of issue by C.F. Carlman, court jeweler, Stockholm with miniature. The case has some blemishes on the lid. The miniature in this class is rare as is the enameled parts on the crown suspension.