1898 St Olav Grand Cross Star

Thi is probably based on the change that happened in 1890. Jeweller Tostrup produced most of the orders for St Olav after 1882. In 1890 the Knight 2 of silver were introduced. And that apparently had some consequences that was bigger than just the iintroduction of the silver versions. According to stories going they tried to used the stampers for the gold versions to make the silver ones. It is said that this was to hard for the stampers used for gold and some of them broke. So for the Knights in gold there are two main types. The initial ones and the ones after 1890. It is the Os that suddenly becomes a lot thinner just like the silver ones. More documentation is needed for similar on the Grand Crosses and the Commanders.

The person awarded this set, Okunuma Shigenobu, was the 17th Prime Minister of Japan. You can see this set and many others on the GMIC website. https://gmic.co.uk/topic/56743-some-medals-of-okuma-shigenobu-17th-prime-minister-of-japan/page/1/

The small gold Os have closed crowns at the top.

Okuma Shigenobu (大隈 重信) was a Japanese statesman and a prominent member of the Meiji oligarchy. His life was marked by significant political and cultural contributions:


- Early Life and Education: Born on March 11, 1838, in Saga, Japan, he was the first son of Okuma Nobuyasu and Miiko.
His father was a samurai-class artillery officer of the Saga Domain, and the family held a 300 koku territory.
Ōkuma rebelled against the conventional education system, leading to his expulsion from the domain school.
He immersed himself in Dutch studies and became an advocate for the sonnō jōi movement, which aimed to expel Europeans from Japan.

-Influence of Western Thought:
During a trip to Nagasaki, Ōkuma met Guido Verbeck, a Dutch missionary who taught him English and provided him with copies of the New Testament and the American Declaration of Independence.
These works profoundly influenced his political thinking and fueled his support for abolishing the feudal system and establishing a constitutional government.

-Meiji Restoration and Political Career:
Ōkuma actively participated in the Meiji Restoration and advocated for mediation between rebels in Chōshū and the Tokugawa shogunate.
He played a pivotal role in recommending resignation to Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu.
His commitment extended to founding Waseda University and organizing the Rikken Dōshikai political party.

- Prime Ministerial Tenures: Ōkuma served as the second Prime Minister of the Empire of Japan in 1898 and again from 1914 to 1916.
His leadership bridged tradition and modernity, advocating for Western science and culture while navigating Japan’s political landscape.

Marquess Ōkuma Shigenobu’s legacy endures—a beacon of change and progress in Japan’s history

1906 St Olav Grand Cross Star Embroidered

Country........: Norway Order name.: St Olav Type/subset.: Grand Cross Star Date..............: 1906 Crowning version

Jeweller.: .Period...: Owner....: Queen Maud of Norway Awarded:

Height (mm): 165estimated Width (mm).: 165estimated Weight (gr)..: Tracking #...: N227x

This Grand Star was made for the Crowning of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway on 22 June 1906 at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Embroidered Grand Cross Stars are very rare to Norway. The one shown here was from the Crowning Robe of Queen Maud which was exibited in Oslo in 2023. To the right you see King Haakon VII at the crowning in 1906. His robe is exhibited in Trondheim and it is very difficult to take a photo of that one. It is assumed that both of these Stars are of same size. From this photo we see that the silver main body is sewn with silver thread. The Gold Lion, the Os and the small globes are made of gold. The white arms looks like they are embroided as well.

There is a third one dated 1850 N272x is from the Norsk Folkemuseum. It looks that this is similarly made.

Arvid Berghman in his book 'Nordiska Ordnar och Dekorationer' (Malmø 1949) mention even another embroidered star that was produced. As a curiosity it is mentioned that the Chancelor in 1884 had a embroidered Grand Cross Star made. This was sent to the baptism of Prince Wilhelm.

Queen Maud of Norway (Maud Charlotte Mary Victoria; 26 November 1869 – 20 November 1938) held a significant place in Norwegian history as the wife of King Haakon VII. Let’s explore her life and legacy:

- Early Life and Education:
Born at Marlborough House, London, Maud was the third daughter and fifth child of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, and Alexandra, Princess of Wales. Her godparents included her paternal uncle Prince Leopold, Count Gleichen, and Crown Princess Louise of Denmark. As a tomboy, she was affectionately known as “Harry” within the royal family.

- Royal Connections and Travels:
Maud participated in annual visits to the Princess of Wales’s family gatherings in Denmark. She accompanied her mother and sisters on cruises to Norway and the Mediterranean. Maud was a bridesmaid at her aunt’s wedding in 1885 and her brother’s wedding in 1893.

- Honors and Titles:
Maud received the Imperial Order of the Crown of India from her grandmother, Queen Victoria. She held the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert (First Class) and was a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

- Queen of Norway:
Upon her marriage to King Haakon VII in 1896, Maud became Queen of Norway. Her reign witnessed significant changes, including the dissolution of the union with Sweden. Queen Maud was admired for her love of nature, animals, fashion, and interior design.

- Legacy:
Maud’s regal presence left an indelible mark on Norway’s history. Her burial took place at Akershus Castle, Oslo, Norway.

Queen Maud—a bridge between tradition and modernity, a symbol of grace and resilience.

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1906 St Olav Grand Cross Star

Country........: Norway Order name.: St Olav Type/subset.: Grand Cross Star Date..............: 1906model

Jeweller.: Tostrup .Period...: 1882-1992 Owner....: Awarded:

Height (mm): 79 Width (mm).: 79 Weight (gr)..: 65 Tracking #...: N100

This Grand Star was in pair with badge N039.

In 1925 Oslo formally changed name to Oslo after having been named Kristiania(1877-1924) and Christiania(1624-1876) earlier. The hallmark on this Grand Cross Star carries the Kristiania name.

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1906 St Olav Grand Cross Star combined with the Order of Garter

Country........: Norway Order name.: St Olav Type/subset.: Grand Cross Star Date..............: 1906model

Jeweller.: Tostrup .Period...: 1882-1992 Owner....: Livrustkammaren Awarded: King Edward VII of the United Kingdom

Height (mm): Width (mm).: Weight (gr)..: Tracking #...: N305x

King Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) held the throne of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, as well as the title of Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until his passing in 191012. Let’s delve into the life of this influential monarch:

- Early Life and Education:
Born at Buckingham Palace, London, England, Edward was the second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Nicknamed “Bertie”, he was related to royalty across Europe.
During his mother’s reign, he was largely excluded from political influence and came to personify the fashionable, leisured elite.

- Marriage and Family:
In 1863, Edward married Princess Alexandra of Denmark, and the couple had six children.
As Prince of Wales, Edward traveled extensively throughout Britain, performing ceremonial public duties and representing Britain on foreign visits.
His tours of North America in 1860 and the Indian subcontinent in 1875 were popular successes, but his reputation as a playboy prince strained his relationship with his mother.

- Reign and Contributions:
Edward inherited the throne upon Queen Victoria’s death in 1901.
During his reign, he played a role in modernizing the British Home Fleet and reorganizing the British Army after the Second Boer War (1899–1902).
He reintroduced traditional ceremonies as public displays and expanded the range of people with whom royalty socialized.
Edward fostered good relations between Britain and other European countries, especially France, earning him the nickname “Peacemaker”.
However, his relationship with his nephew, German Emperor Wilhelm II, was strained.

- The Edwardian Era:
The Edwardian era, named after him, coincided with the start of a new century and witnessed significant changes in technology and society, including steam turbine propulsion and the rise of socialism.

Edward VII’s legacy endures—a monarch who navigated change, diplomacy, and progress.

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1912 St Olav Grand Cross Star

Country........: Norway Order name.: St Olav Type/subset.: Grand Cross Star Date..............: 1912

Jeweller.: Chobillon Paris .Period...: Owner....: Awarded:

Height (mm): Width (mm).: Weight (gr)..: Tracking #...: N342

This Grand Star is actually a photo from the paper catalog printed by Chobillon in Paris in 1912. How is it possible do distinguish this from an original in Scandinavia?

The small gold Os have open crowns at the top.

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1925 St Olav Grand Cross Star

Country........: Norway Order name.: St Olav Type/subset.: Grand Cross Star Date..............: 1925

Jeweller.: Tostrup .Period...: 1882-1992 Owner....: Awarded:

Height (mm): 79 Width (mm).: 79 Weight (gr)..: 60.8 Tracking #...: N172

In 1925 Oslo formally changed name to Oslo after having been named Kristiania(1877-1924) and Christiania(1624-1876) earlier.

This is the Tostrup Hallmark used after 1924.

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1930 St Olav Grand Cross Star

Country........: Norway Order name.: St Olav Type/subset.: Grand Cross Star Date..............: 1930

Jeweller.: Tostrup .Period...: 1882-1992 Owner....: Awarded:

Height (mm): 79 Width (mm).: 79 Weight (gr)..: 60.8 Tracking #...: Nabc

In about 1930 thw Grand Cross Star of St Olav changed from having all the small holes made through the main silver body to a no hole smooth design.

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1942 St Olav Grand Cross Star Spink London

Country........: Norway Order name.: St Olav Type/subset.: Grand Cross Star Date..............: 1942

Jeweller.: Spink London .Period...: Owner....: Awarded:

Height (mm): 84 Width (mm).: 84 Weight (gr)..: 91 Tracking #...: N150

During WWII the Norwegian Government operated out of London as Norway mainland was occupied. After operating there for a while they needed some extra St Olav orders to be used as awards during the war. A small order was sent to Spink in London and a few were made. The Grand Cross Star was made in only 12 examples. Of which 8 have been awarded. Today only 4 are known. The St Olav Grand Cross was mainly awarded to high ranking officers fighting with the Allied forces.

The order were made of gilted silver with the Spink hallmark on the reverse on the silver body.

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1958 St Olav Grand Cross Star

Country........: Norway Order name.: St Olav Type/subset.: Grand Cross Star Date..............: 1958model

Jeweller.: Tostrup .Period...: 1882-1992 Owner....: Awarded:

Height (mm): 79.3 Width (mm).: 79.3 Weight (gr)..: 85.1 Tracking #...: N107

Paired with GC Badge N016

In 1958 the St Olav orders changed to some cost savings. The gold pieces were no made in silver gilt. As well the crowned Os where made into a more squared shaped Os. This is more noticeable on the badges and knights.

Note that there seems to be a drilled hole in the gold Lion between the front legs and the handle of the axe.

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Copyright - © 2004 Sven Vik - All rights reserved.