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White enamel ball-tipped Maltese cross with gilt Swedish crowns between the arms, on crown suspension; the face with a deep blue enamel central medallion bearing a five-pointed white enamel star with gilt outline and inscribed ‘NESCIT OCCASUM’ (It knows no decline); the reverse identical to the face; 25mm high by 17mm wide (1 inch high by ¾ inch wide); on original ribbon mounted for wear. The Order of created by King Fredrik I on 23 February 1748 to reward Swedish and foreign citizens for ‘civic merits, for devotion to duty, for science, literary, learned and useful works and for new and beneficial institutions’. Since the Swedish parliament passed a ludicrous law in 1974 that Swedish orders can no longer be conferred on Swedish citizens, the Order is now presented only to foreign citizen and ‘stateless persons’ (!) and the black ribbon has been replaced by one in the Swedish national colours of bright blue and yellow. This rare miniature was intended to be worn on formal occasions with evening dress. It is of excellent quality with all enamel intact.
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