Item number: M438

Year: AD 1772-1860

The results after XRF testing

Material: Gold and Enamel

Size: 19.0 x 10.5 x 1.2 mm

Weight: 1.35 g

Provenance: Denarius 2025

This is a miniature of the Knight class of the Royal Order of Vasa (Kungliga Vasaorden), instituted by King Gustav III of Sweden in AD 1772. The miniature was intended to be worn with civilian formal dress (such as evening tailcoat attire) rather than with military uniform.

The insignia takes the form of an oval medallion. At the centre of the obverse is the “vase” emblem designed by Gustav Vasa, founder of the Vasa dynasty, commonly known as the “sheaf vase” (Vasakärven). The body of the vase is composed of bound sheaves of grain, with an X-shaped binding around the belly and handles on either side. The device is rendered in openwork on a white ground. Surrounding it is a gilded enamelled border in red, bearing the inscription “GUSTAF DEN TREDIE INSTIKTARE MDCCLXXII,” meaning “Gustav III, instituted AD 1772,” with a four-petalled floral ornament at the top. The reverse is of identical design. On both obverse and reverse, the inscriptions are now partially worn and indistinct.

The ribbon is green, symbolising agriculture, craftsmanship, and mercantilism.

The Royal Order of Vasa, established by King Gustav III in AD 1772, was intended to complement the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Polar Star by recognising forms of merit not covered by those orders. It could be conferred upon Swedish citizens and foreign nationals in recognition of outstanding services in agriculture, mining, trade, crafts, industry, art, and education, as well as in public office and public representation. The order was originally divided into three classes: Commander Grand Cross, Commander, and Knight. In AD 1860 the design of the insignia was augmented by the addition of a star, and over time the system was further expanded. It is now organised into five classes: Commander Grand Cross, Commander First Class, Commander Second Class, Knight First Class, and Knight Second Class. In addition, a badge and a medal bearing the name Vasa were also instituted.

Gustav Vasa was the founder of the Vasa dynasty. In the early sixteenth century, Sweden remained under the control of the Danish-dominated Kalmar Union. Following the Stockholm Bloodbath of AD 1520, anti-Danish sentiment among the nobility and the wider population intensified. Gustav Vasa launched an uprising in the Dalarna region, successfully uniting local forces, and in AD 1523 he was elected king, thereby securing Sweden’s independence from Danish rule. During his reign he implemented the Reformation, introduced Lutheranism, confiscated church property to strengthen the royal finances, and reformed administrative, fiscal, and military structures. By progressively weakening the power of the regional nobility and establishing a more centralised and stable monarchy, he laid the foundations of the modern Swedish state.

Gustav III reigned from AD 1771 to AD 1792. In AD 1772 he carried out a coup d’état that brought an end to the aristocracy-dominated “Age of Liberty,” restored royal authority, and initiated reforms inspired by Enlightenment ideas. During his reign he improved the judicial system, curtailed the use of torture, promoted religious tolerance, and strongly supported the arts and culture, particularly theatre and opera, thereby fostering a flourishing cultural life in Sweden. Nevertheless, his centralising policies and foreign wars provoked strong opposition among sections of the nobility, and in AD 1792 he was assassinated at a masquerade ball.

物件編號: M438

年代: 公元 1772-1860 年

XRF分析結果:

材質: 黃金、琺瑯

尺寸: 19.0 x 10.5 x 1.2 mm

重量: 1.35 g

來源: 第納里烏斯 2025

這是一枚騎士級皇家瓦薩勳章(Kungliga Vasaorden)的迷你版，由瑞典國王古斯塔夫三世於公元1772年設立。迷你版則是用以著非軍服正裝(例如燕尾服)時配戴。

勳章為橢圓形圓章，正面中央為瓦薩王朝的古斯塔夫·瓦薩所設計的「花瓶」(vase)紋章，稱為「麥穗花瓶」(Vasakärven)，瓶身由麥穗束構成，瓶腹有「X」形綁帶，兩側有把手。紋章的白底鏤空。外緣為鑲金琺瑯，琺瑯為紅色，其上環繞銘文「GUSTAF DEN TREDIE INSTIKTARE MDCCLXXII」，即「古斯塔夫三世設立於1772年」，最上方有四瓣花飾。背面設計相同。正背面銘文漫漶不清。

綬帶為綠色，象徵農業，手工業與重商主義。

皇家瓦薩勳章(由瑞典國王古斯塔夫三世於公元1772年設立，作為寶劍勳章和北極星勳章所無法涵蓋領域的補充。該勳章可授予瑞典公民與外國人士，以表彰其在農業、採礦、貿易、手工藝、工業、藝術與教育等領域，以及公共職務與公共代表事務方面的卓越服務。原定三級：指揮官大十字、騎士指揮官與騎士級。公元1860年勳章造型增設星芒。設立以來陸續擴充，今為五級：指揮官大十字、一等指揮官、二等指揮官、一等騎士、二等騎士。另有徽章(badge)、獎章(medal)亦以瓦薩為名。

古斯塔夫·瓦薩(Gustav Vasa)，為瓦薩王朝的開創者。16世紀初，瑞典仍受丹麥主導的卡爾馬聯盟控制，公元1520年發生「斯德哥爾摩血案」後，貴族與民眾反丹情緒高漲。古斯塔夫·瓦薩在達拉納地區發動起義，成功整合地方勢力，並於公元1523年被推舉為國王，使瑞典正式脫離丹麥統治。他在位期間推動宗教改革，引入路德宗，沒收教會財產以充實國庫，同時改革行政、財政與軍事制度，逐步削弱地方貴族勢力，建立較為集中而穩定的王權體制，是瑞典近代國家體制的奠基者。

古斯塔夫三世(Gustav III)，公元1771至1792年在位。公元1772年，他透過政變結束貴族主導的「自由時代」，重新集中王權，並以啟蒙思想為指導推動改革。在位期間，他改善司法制度、限制酷刑、提倡宗教寬容，同時大力扶植藝術與文化，特別是戲劇與歌劇，使瑞典文化生活蓬勃發展。然而，其集權政策與對外戰爭引發部分貴族強烈反彈，最終於公元1792年在化裝舞會中遭刺身亡。