Norway - Kingdom: Royal Order Of Saint Olaf, cased Grand Cross Set, comprising breast star and sash badge in silver, silver-gilt and enamels, by J. Tostrup, circa 1940s manufacture, complete with full length of sash ribbon, and housed in its fitted presentation case. Attributed to Dr Carl Bobleter, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Austria.
Condition: enamel work excellent, overall Extremely Fine.
Provenance: acquired from a member of the recipient’s family.
Dr Carl Heinz Bobleter, was a prominent Austrian Diplomat, who held various ambassadorial roles during the 1950s-1970s, and in a position that specifically represented Austria’s interest in international economic matters, he was the Ambassador of Austria to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development between 1958 and 1964. He was later State Secretary at the Foreign Ministry and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Austria, notably speaking at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in April 1967.
Sash badge in silver-gilt with white enamelled Maltese Cross, with gilt crowned monograms "O" between the arms of the cross, obverse centrepiece shows red with the golden Norwegian lion bearing a battle axe on a red background surrounded by a white-blue-white ring, reverse bears the King Oscar's motto “Ret og Sandhed", marked on the ring "JT" (J. Tostrup) and marked "925S" (silver), suspension loop has been sewn directly to sash which is full length and complete. Dimensions: 64.7 mm (w) x 88.3 mm (h).
Complete with star of the order, featuring silver-gilt insignia mounted upon an eight-pointed silver star, Maltese Cross in white enamel, with crowned monograms "O" between the arms of the cross, centrepiece shows the golden Norwegian lion bearing a battle axe on a red background surrounded by a white-blue-white ring, reverse with a vertical pin assembly, central cartouche of maker J. TOSTRUP OSLO. Dimensions: 79.5 mm (w) x 78.5 mm (h), weighs 83g.
The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav (Norwegian: Den Kongelige Norske Sankt Olavs Orden; or Sanct Olafs Orden, the old Norwegian name) is a Norwegian order of chivalry instituted by King Oscar I on 21 August 1847. It is named after King Olav II, known to posterity as St. Olav.
Just before the union with Sweden was dissolved in 1905, the Order of the Norwegian Lion was instituted in 1904 by King Oscar II, but no appointments were awarded by his successor, King Haakon VII. The Order of St. Olav thus became the kingdom's only order of chivalry for the next 80 years. The Grand Master of the order is the reigning monarch of Norway. It is used to reward individuals for remarkable accomplishments on behalf of the country and humanity. Since 1985, appointments to the order has only been conferred upon Norwegian citizens, though foreign heads of state and royalty may be appointed as a matter of courtesy.
