Estonia Collar of the Estonian Order of the White Star

[pluribus]

...is a silver gilt chain 30 mm in width with pieces in the form of Estonian ornaments, its lock holding a gilt greater national coat of arms 38 mm in diameter. A six-armed gold cross 65 mm in diameter, the both sides of which are covered with white enamel, is suspended from the chain. A six-pointed small gold star is in the centre of the obverse of the cross. The reverse of the cross carries the date "7.IX.1936" on the centre. Gold trimmings project from the centre of the cross.

The insignia of the Collar of the OWS include a six-edged gilt silver star 83 mm in diameter, surmounted by six-armed cross covered with white enamel. The centre of the cross carries a gilt greater national coat of arms 38 mm in diameter.

The Collar of the OWS was awarded 6 times in 1936-1940.

List of the recipients:

1)King of Sweden Gustav V

2)President of Finland Ky?sti Kallio

3)President of Latvia Karlis Ulmanis

4)President of Lithuania Antanas Smetona

5)President of Poland Ignacy Moscicki

6)State Holder of Hungary admiral Horthy Miklos.

The Collar of the OWS awarded 8 times to the Presidents in 1995-2006.

1)President of Poland Aleksander Kwasniewski

2)President of Hungary Madl Ferenc

3)President of Malta Guido de Marco

4)President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus

5)President of Island Olafor Ragnar Grimsson

6)President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga

7)President of Portugal Jorge Sampaio

8)President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari

So the total is 14 Collars and all to the Heads of the States.

This is possibly the first presentation of photos of Collar OWS in the internet.

Edited April 28, 2007 by pluribus

[Guest Rick Research]

Is there any difference between the Model 1936 and (?) Model 1995 types?

In my opinion, the designs for awards in the Baltic Republics 1918-40 are probably the most consistently attractive any countries ever had. Perhaps that quality and style is considered "old fashioned" in the 21st century, but I would HOPE that the newly independent again Republics would keep that strong regional tradition alive rather than going for the cheap and aesthetically boring "low bidder" art school dropout designs being churned out in almost every country in the world nowadays.

Thanks for showing us another beautiful Order!

[pluribus]

The Star to the Collar was designed by artist Paul Luhtein at first the way it looks like now. For some reason the design was altered and the 1934 model Star has a small white star instead of coat of arms in the center.

pluribus

Edited April 28, 2007 by pluribus