Peter J

Hi Graf,

You've really opened up a can of questions, but I've contacted one of the authorities on the Royal Order Kansli and he gave me a quick heads up one the various models.

First of all, the categories referred to in Künke's catalogue is not correct i.e. the Order being instituted in 1772 and being the 2nd model. The presumption that this Order originates from the "Swordsknightorder" of Livland instituted 1197 is from a Swdish publication from the 15th century and this story has been cut and pasted through out the years. The Order of the Sword was instituted 1748 and the first type had a small crown between the cross arms (image#1, I had to use a Northstar for illustration). Around 1802 a larger crown was adopted and placed above the tips of the cross arms on a scharnier (image #2). I'll get additional info from my source, but apparently there were about 8 different designs between 1802 and 1832. The transformation to a different crown attached with a built in hinge on an ornamented "holder"?) occured in 1860 and the balls on the edges of the arms 1856 (image #3), although these balls have been found on earlier pieces as well. There were also tiny enamel dots on the crown.

So where does that leave your cross? If we look at the crown it's a dead-ringer for the crown found on the 1847 Olov Orden. Well, IMHO your conclusion seems to place it around 1850, but I'll forward the image and see what I can find out.

cheers

Peter

Hi Graf,

I'll look into this tomorrow and get back to you.

cheers

Peter