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The Swedish Order of the Seraphim
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The Order of the Seraphim or the Order of His Majesty the King, is the most outstanding distinction in Sweden.
Nowadays it is conferred exclusively on members of the Swedish Royal Family and on foreign heads of state or
other persons of comparable rank. The Order has only one Class with the dignity of Knight or Member. The insignia of the Order are the Collar, Badge and Grand Star. The Collar of the Order is only bestowed as a mark of special distinction. The Collar of the Order of the Seraphim consists of eleven gold seraphims (angels), alternating with eleven blue patriarchal crosses, set in gold, joined with gold links. The Badge consists of a white Maltese cross set in gold, in the centre of which is a blue medallion bearing the monogram of Christ "IHS" (Jesus Hominum Salvator - Jesus the Saviour of Mankind). The Badge is surmounted by a golden Royal crown, by which it is fastened to the collar or to a light blue moiré ribbon. The initials FRS (Fredericus Rex Suecia), in memory of King Fredrik I, who instituted the Order in 1748, are engraved on the reverse of the medallion. A Knight or Member should submit proposals regarding his Seraphim arms and a motto to the armorial painter to the Royal Orders. On the death of a Knight or Member of the Order, his (her) coat of arms, designed in accordance with the above, will be mounted in Riddarholmen Church on the occasion of the funeral of the deceased Knight or Member. The bells are tolled at Riddarholmen Church on the occasion of the funeral of a deceased Knight or Member. Click on the highlighted text below the image to see more information! |
Seraphim Herolds |
 Seraphim Chief Herold sign - 1780 A very ancient Herold sign. |
Seraphim Collars |
 Seraphim Collar - embroidered coat of arms ca. 1750 Embroidered coat of arms for Duke Fredrik Adolf, Swedish heir apparent. Made about 1750. Exhibited at KMO at the Swedish Royal Castle spring 2006. |
 Collar 1798 from Statutes The Seraphimer Collar as of the Statutes 1798. |
 Part of Seraphim Collar The photo above shows a part of a Swedish Seraphim Collar. Not so many collars are awarded and they are considered extremely rare in the collectors market. The Swedish Seraphim Collars are kept at the Castle and they have to be borrowed for use by the recipients. The above part of the Collar was a part of the collar awarded to Emperor Haile Sellasie of Ethiopia in 1954. He was, HRH Crownprince Ras Teferi of Ethiopia (Abessia), awarded the Seraphim already June 10th 1924 at Stockholm Castle. He was then Seraphim knight no 650. He was then awarded the Collar at the same place at November 15th, 1954. According to the story the Collar for the Emperor was too large and one link had to be removed to make it fit. He became Emperor in Ethiopia in 1930. Lived in exile during the Italian occupation 1936-41. He lost his power in 1974 and was later killed. |
Seraphim Stars |
 1751 Star at Treasury The Treasures of Sweden. |
 1751 Star at Treasury The Treasures of Sweden.This one with gold Seraphims. |
 1780(?) Star This is an embroidered example sold at the Graf Klenau auction in 1974. |
 Star about 1780 from Livrustkammaren This is an example from Livrustkammaren shown in the book of Kleberg. |
 Star about 1780 from Areen and Lewenhaupt This is an example from book of Areen and Lewenhaupt. This could be the same as for Livrustkammaren 1780. |
 Embroidered Star 1792 Embroidered star at an masquerade 1792 by King Gustaf III.Exhibited at Livrustkammaren at the Swedish Royal Castle spring 2006. |
 A 1795 Seraphim Star in metal A very old and extremely rare Seraphimer Star from 1795. This was awarded as number 133 or 134 since the initiation of the Seraphim order. This version is in full metal. The arms are flexible lige wings. Probably custom made in Germany? |
 Star 1798 from Statutes The Seraphimer embroidered star. To be worn on the left hand side of the chest. |
 Star 1818 Star made by Olof Wilborg. |
 Embroidered Star 1820 Embroidered star made by Welker. |
 Star 1820 ?? Looks very much like the embridered star made by Welker. |
 Embroidered Star 1820 (??) Embroidered star made by Nybom. |
 Embroidered Star 1820 Embroidered like the Welker one as seen in S150.This example belongs to the Livrustkammaren and are featured in the Book by Kleberg. |
 Embroidered Star |
 Embroidered Star - smaller version This is a smaller embroidered star exhibited at the KMO at the Royal Castle in Stockholm spring 2006. < |
 Embroidered Star - long arm version This is an embroidered star exhibited at the KMO at the Royal Castle in Stockholm spring 2006. |
 Embroidered Star - shorter arm version This is an embroidered star exhibited at the KMO at the Royal Castle in Stockholm spring 2006. Note the dark lines around the eyes. |
 1824 Star This 1824 Star is very important since it is Hallmarked. This sets an exact year of manufacture and also the Jewelers name. |
 A 1825 Seraphim Star A very old and scarce example of the 1825 Seraphim Grand Cross Star. |
 1828 Star This 1828 Star is very important since it is Hallmarked. This sets an exact year of manufacture and also the Jewelers name. This is kept at a Swedish Museum. |
 1830 Star Hallmarked: I.W.H - Jakob Wilhelm Hjortsberg halmarked Z3-1830. The cap on the back with the hallmark can actually be opened as there is a hinge to the right. |
 1850?? Star This is an interesting star with a very different look than most of the others. Closer investigation will publish more details. |
 1850?? Star This is an example from the book of Arvid Berghman.The wings of the Seraphims encloses the heads. |
 1850?? Star This is an interesting star with a very different look than most of the others. It is not a standard layout or quality. It was sold at the Küenker auction 2006.06.25. |
 1855 Star Interesting star tied up to a receipient. Jeweller Hammer might only have produced orders in the period 1855 to 1870? |
 1870 Hammer Star This star is made by jeweler Hammer in Stockholm. The letters IHS is made in an arch which is typical of Hammer. This series was awarded to about 200 people. Some of these awarded could be reused earlier stars. Hammer did supply some. However the 1880 Star Prince type does not carry Hammers identity. |
 1880 Star Prince type This 1880 star is much smaller and lighter than the normal ones. This was in many cases made for the young Princes in the royal family. |
 A Seraphim 1890 Star Due to color variations this star is made about 1890-1900. The above photo is of the Swedish 1919 Seraphim breast star. Known to be the favorite of the Swedish king. The 1919 series was only awarded to about 90 people. Some of these awarded could be reused earlier stars. |
 A Seraphim 1890 Star Due to color variations this star is made about 1890-1900. |
 The 1894 Panoptikon Star This might be a prototype made by Panoptikon?? |
 A Seraphim 1919 Star This star is identical to the socalled 1890 stars apart from the metal type. This is slightly more silver like than the others. |
 A Seraphim 1950 Star This official current star. However the design of these current stars are not so very nice. |
 A Seraphim 2006 Star prototype A new star was born in order to replace the existing design. This prototype has been displayed at KMO at the Stockholm Castle during Spring 2006. Small changes will be implemented to the final approved star. A wonderful star for the future! |
Seraphim Badges |
 Badge from coat of arms 1750(?) Embroidered coat of arms for Duke Fredrik Adolf, Swedish heir apparent. Made about 1750. Exhibited at KMO at the Swedish Royal Castle spring 2006. |
 Badge from decoration of Seraphim Room Badge from decoration of Seraphim Room at Stockholm Castle. |
 Badge 1798 from Skattkammaren The Treasures of Sweden. |
 Badge 1798 from Statutes Normal badge as worn in the Sash. |
 Badge 1798 from Statutes Smaller badge as worn by the lesser members of KMO and the Herolds. |
 Badge from Livrustkammaren 1820 This is a badge from the Livrustkammaren shown in the Kleberg book. |
 Badge from Areen and Lewenhaupt 1820 This is a badge from the Areen and Lewenhaupt book. |
 Badge made by Hammer about 1860 1860 Badge made by jeweler Hammer.Smaller crown type. |
 Badge made by Hammer about 1860 1860 Badge made by jeweler Hammer.Large crown type. |
 Badge made by Carlman Badge made by jeweler Carlman. |
 Kaplan Badge The above photo is of the Swedish medal for the Chaplain. At any given time there are 2 Chaplains for the Seraphim Order. This has been active since 22.11.1784 and ended 17.12.1974. During these 190 years a total of 38 Chaplains have been at this special service. Understandably the medal shown here is assumed to be quite unique. |
 Seraphim Badge Prince size A very rare example of the Prince size Seraphim badge. |
Seraphim Miniatures |
 A silver Seraphim miniature very old type This is the same as Graf Klenau item 6923 sold in 1974. A very old miniature hung in a chain. |
 A Seraphim miniature |
 A Seraphim miniature Dots in crown. |
 Seraphime miniature |
 A Seraphim miniature button This button signifies that the wearer has been awarded the Seraphim collar. Today there are very few people that is awarded this. |
 A Seraphim miniature button A variety with goldring around blue globe and colorful cloth around the miniature button. |
 A Seraphim miniature button The variety with no goldring around blue globe. Colorful cloth around the miniature button. |
 A Seraphim miniature button It is believed that this is the only one in a private collection. |
 A Seraphim miniature button This button signifies that the wearer has been awarded the Seraphim collar. This is an example sold at the Graf Klenau auction in 1974. |
Seraphim Reports |
 A real Seraphimer order diploma! Translation to Swedish: "Alldenstund Hans Heliga Majestät, vår Höga Konung, nådigast med kommandör(värdigheten) av den Kungliga Nordstjärneorden velat dekorera den Belgiske Konungens Hovmarskalk, den förutvarande extraordinäre ambassadören och ministern, Friherre Petrus de Crombrugghe de Loringhe, hava vi, på det att det må vara ett tecken på tacksamhet och välvilja, til denne ombesörjt översänandet av detta diplom samt et ordenstecken. Stockholm den 22 maj 1841, På Konungens nådiga uppdrag Rozenbladh, Kungl Ordenskansler. von Schulzenheim, Kungl Ordenssekreterare. |
 Composite Seraphimer report |
Seraphimer Front image report |
Seraphimer Reverse image report |
Seraphimer Crowns image report |
Seraphimer Lion image report |
Seraphimer Text image report |
Seraphimer small Os image report |
Seraphimer Hallmark image report |
Seraphimer Swords image report |
Seraphimer Hinge image report |
Copyright - © 2005 Sven Vik - All rights reserved. |
