This chapter will be including about 150 different Serafimer Stars. I have been looking and digging for information through the last 30 years to understand a bit of this history. My focus is to display the variations of these beautiful pieces of art.

I must thank the huge inventory at Livrustkammaren in Stockholm Sweden. They have a huge collection of historical pieces with historical information.  As you see on this page a lot of the photos are still in black and white. Hopefully one day one will have more of these photos in high resolution color.  They have iincluded the history of these pieces and on many the dimensions are included. Unfortunately the weight of the pieces are missing. I am sure this will be available one day.

The Livrustkammaren is located next to the Royal Castle in Stockholm. I have visited their exhibitions several times. Very nice and and very interesting. About 20 years ago I was to have meetings with them and also having a real look at their vaults.  Unfortuntely Radon gas had been measured at too high levels and the old vaults were closed for all visits for years.  Still we had some very good meetings and discussed their collection of orders.  Since then they have moved their photos from their old website and now you find most of it on Wikimedia Commons, Europeana, Omnia.ie, etc.  Hopefully what you find there will be on these pages, plus alot more.

Scroll down (look below) to see these Serafimer Stars! Please enjoy!

-1740 drawing from print-

Height (mm):
Width  (mm):
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S395
Date       : 1740
Knight #   : 

Title: Order of the Seraphim
Technique/Material: Copperplate engraving
Dimensions: (h x w) 27.4 x 16.8 cm
Provenance: Artist: Jean Eric Rehn, Swedish, born 1717, died 1793
Category: Graphic art
Inventory number: NMTiG 758
Acquisition: Purchased from the Tessin Institute, Paris, in 1982

-1748 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 130
Width  (mm): 130
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S325x
Date       : 1748
Knight #   : 

-1748.04.17 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm):
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S333x
Date       : 1748.04.17 awarded.
Knight#    : 3

-1748.04.17 Star-

Height (mm): 140
Width  (mm): 135
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S759x
Date       : 1748.04.17

-1748.04.18 Star-

Height (mm):
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S359x
Date       : 1748.04.18

https://digitaltmuseum.no/011023141379/ordenstegn
Norsk Folkemuseum. From King Fredrik I.

-1748 Star-

Height (mm): 105
Width  (mm): 100
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S595x
Date       : 1748awarded

-1750 Star-

Height (mm): 200
Width  (mm): 200
Weight(gr) : 55
Tracking # : S322x
Date       : 1750

-1750-1800 Star-

Height (mm): 86.4
Width  (mm): 86.4
Weight(gr) : 12.4
Tracking # : S363
Date       : 1750-1800

This particular item is a smaller size 86.4 mm in diameter and weighs 12.4 grams. Typically, the normal size for these embroidered stars is 100-110 mm. Please note that this item has been worn for approximately 200-250 years.
The arms feature a double cross, which is a motif that I have only previously encountered on metal stars. The production of metal stars is documented from approximately 1800 onwards.
Additionally, the metal Seraphimer heads can be found on other embroidered stars, with the earliest examples dating to around 1800.
It is also worth noting that the round shales sewn on the arms are seen between 1750 and 1800. The majority of examples I have seen are very regular in design. This particular piece, however, is reminiscent of the one created for King Adolf Fredrik in 1751.
The central IHS element is surrounded by wrought metal, which is not a common feature. Some similar examples can be found in other pieces, but not all heavy metal pieces feature this design element.
The blue silk in the globe is lined up vertically, a design element that is only seen in two other examples: one created for Axel von Fersen in 1765 and another created in 1780.

-1750 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 120
Width  (mm): 120
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S326x
Date       : 1750 estimated

Order of the Seraphim, embroidered star.
DESCRIPTION:
Star of the Order of the Seraphim, situated on the coat of the Order of Adolf Fredrik, circa 1750s.
Manufacturer: Christopher Sergell
Owner: King Adolf Fredrik of Sweden
DATING 1750s
COLLECTION: The Armoury
INVENTORY NUMBER: 18959 (3480th)

-1750 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S367x
Date       : 1750 estimated

-1750 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm):
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S514x
Date       : 1750 estimated

https://digitaltmuseum.no/011023141380/ordenstegn
Fredrik I period in Norsk Folkemuseum
No lipstick! Black metal head

-1751 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 125
Width  (mm): 125
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S774x
Date       : 1751 Crowning

-1751 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 115
Width  (mm): 115
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S209x
Date       : 1751

-1751.11.26 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 120
Width  (mm): 120
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S327x
Date       : 1751.11.26 Crowning

The Star of the Order of the Seraphim is sewn on the coronation robe of Adolf Fredrik.
Item: Star of the Order of the Seraphim
Owner: Adolf Fredrik of Sweden
Made in Sweden
DATING 1751-11-26
OTHER KEYWORDS: Star of the Order of the Seraphim
COLLECTION: Livrustkammaren
INVENTORY NUMBER: 18960 (3481)
Provenance: Event: Coronation of Adolf Fredrik and Lovisa Ulrika
Ceremony: Coronation
Place: Stockholm

-1752.11.23 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 125
Width  (mm): 125
Weight(gr) : 22
Tracking # : N350x
Date       : 1752.11.23 awarded

Seraphim Star - LRK 2293
Keywords: The item is crafted from silver, adorned with rhinestones and the Order of the Seraphim insignia, and bears the signature of Frederick II. It is an artefact of notable historical significance. The item features a Maltese cross, embroidered with silver sequins and cantillions, as well as seraphim crafted from silver thread and cantillions.
The item features a medallion with a slight arch, covered with light blue silk ribbons. These ribbons are embroidered with the letters "HIS" and a cross, along with three crowns and three spikes, all made of cantils and silver sequins. The sequins are gilded silver. The edging is made up of cantillas and sequins of gilded silver.
The reverse bears an ink inscription in white paper, reading: 'Carried by King FREDRIC II: in Prussia and after his death again sent to King Gustaf III'. This item is from Sweden. The item was dated 4 June 1787. The date of death was 17 August 1786.
The date of award was 23 November 1752.
The medium was silver thread on paper.
The colour was white.
The material was paper.
The dimensions were as follows: weight 22 g (0.78 oz), width Height: 125 mm (4.92")
Royal Armoury Collection
Blue pencil.svg (wikidata:Q1636176)
Accession number: LRK 2293
Object history: Friedrich II of Prussia (King) Kungl. Majestats Orden (KMO)
Serafimer knight # 43

-1760 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 212
Width  (mm): 212
Weight(gr) : 71
Tracking # : S323x
Date       : 1760

The item is a cape collar for knights of the Order of the Seraphim, Sweden, mid 18th century, embroidered by Anna Sibylla Sergell.
The item is titled 'Order of the Seraphim' and is part of the A S Sergell collection.
NAME OF MANUFACTURER: Anna Sibylla Sergel
Owner: Swedish Masonic Order, SFMO
DATING: Mid 17th century
COLLECTION: Livrustkammaren
INVENTORY NUMBER: 2288 (25:501)
DIMENSIONS: Width: 2 12 mm, 71 g
SIGNATURE A:s:Sergell (signing from the reverse) Please be aware that there is another version of her name: Anna Brita Sergel. [1]
She was the daughter of court embroiderer Christoffer Sergell and Elisabet Swyrner, and the sister of Johan Tobias Sergel and Maria Sofia Sergell. In 1754, Anna Sibylla Sergell married Johan Valentin Howe or Hovje (died 1760), a wine waiter. Until 1773, she worked as her father's assistant. Following his death in 1773, she and her sister Maria Sofia were engaged as court embroiderers, primarily in the 1770s. The sisters were responsible for the interior design of Fredrikshov Palace, for which they were compensated with 9,600 daler each.

-1760-1770 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 155
Width  (mm): 155
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S397x
Date       : 1760-1770

-1760  Serafimer Star-

Height (mm):
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S511x
Date       : 1760 estimate

Aquiered to a Museum in Cologne Germany on 1895-10-28 from jeweller Chrisitan Hammer.

-1760-1770 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 265
Width  (mm): 265
Weight(gr) : 82
Tracking # : S328x
Date       : 1760-1770

-1760 - 1770 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S483x
Date       : 1760-1770 estimated

The 4 small Serfimer heads are made of silver.

-1763.11.21 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 110
Width  (mm): 110
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S427x
Date       : 1763.11.21 awarded

-1765.11.25 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 105
Width  (mm): 105
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S525x
Date       : 1765.11.25
Knight #   : 72

Jacob Philip von Schwerin knight # 72. Awarded 25.11.1765.
KM 39589.
This Star seems to be partly finished. It is assumed it was made to be completed by brilliants in the open spaces.  But as can be seen - no brilliants are installed. One can only hope someone will have the true history to this.

-1766 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 120
Width  (mm): 120
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S234x
Date       : 1766 wedding King Gustaf III

Silver embroidered star with blue silk in the centre roundel woven in rips and built up from below with something hard. The IHS and cross are of silver sequins set tightly. The crown and border are in gold cantillas. The faces of the four seraphim are silver embroidered and have two pairs of wings each. The points of the star are sequinned. Lined with thin white leather. The ruff is probably still attached with original stitches to the coat on the left breast.

Museum Livrustkammaren
Material Silver
Size Length 120 mm (largest)
Technique Embroidery
Number 1
Date 1766
Place of manufacture Sweden
Manufacturer Sergell, Christopher
Previous owner Gustav III of Sweden
Physical characteristics Colour: Silver
Item number 18962_LRK
Other number No 1867: 3485:a

Literature

• Clothes for time and eternity. Gustaf III seen through his costumes, Rangström, 1998, illus. on page: 64 (Rangström, Lena)
• Silver. Power and Splendour in Baroque Sweden. Nationalmusei exhibition catalogue no 663, Silver. Power and Splendour in Baroque Sweden, 2003
• A Bride for King and Country. Royal weddings from Gustav Vasa to Carl XVI Gustaf, 2010, illustrated on page: 238 (Rangström, Lena)

Historical event The wedding of Gustav III and Sofia Magdalena of Denmark

Related item. Associated with: 31255_LRK. Associated with: 31256_LRK

Associated texts
Type Older inventory
Date 1850
Text

1 Car owner's clothing, consisting of coat, waistcoat and trousers of plain silver fabric, lined with white silver moire, richly embroidered with sequins in gold and colours, and ditto buttons and Seraphim Ordens crachan, and 1 pair of shoes. Heading: King Gustav III's Clothes Time inv. no.: 95 Page: 12

Type. Older inventory

Date: 1855

Text

1 Car owner's clothing, consisting of skirt, waistcoat and trousers of plain silver fabric, lined with white silver wardrobe, richly embroidered with sequins in gold and colours, and ditto buttons 37) and the Crachan of the Order of Seraphim, and 1 pair of shoes. On the opposite page: 37) one button missing Title: King Gustav III's Clothes Page: 14 No. in previous inv.: 95 Note: page 23 ex B

Type. Older inventory

Date 1866

Text

Dress, consisting of: Skirt of plain silver fabric, lined with white silver moiré, richly embroidered with sequins in gold and colours and ditto buttons; on the left side the collar of the Order of the Seraphim in embroidery of silver thread and sequins. Waistcoat of plain silver fabric, lined with double white taffeta, embroidered with sequins in gold and colours, and fitted with buttons of gold and silver thread. Trousers of plain silver fabric, lined with white taffeta, the waistbands embroidered with sequins in gold and colours. A pair of shoes of silver fabric, edged with narrow silver fringes. King Gustaf III. The fabric of the shoes torn, (In pencil: Galoshes?) Time. inv. no.: 3485

-1766-1800 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 165
Width  (mm): 165
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S297xx
Date       : 1766-1800 estimated

Royal Order of the Seraphim, breast star, 1st issue (official embroidered version, without patriarchal crosses on the cross arms – until 1871), 165 x 165 mm, silver, gold foil and sequin embroidery. The corners are somewhat worn due to age. The reverse is covered with paper bearing the handwritten inscription 'Holmström'. Please refer to Burke (p. 373ff), Pan (p. 407), Volpe (p. 507) and Zei (3402 var.) for further details.
This is a Royal Order of the Seraphim breast star of the first type (officially embroidered, without patriarchal crosses on the cross arms – until 1871), measuring 165 x 165 mm. It is made up of embroidery with silver and silver gilt thread and paillettes. The cross arm tips are minimally damaged. It is on the reverse covering paper with a handwritten naming 'Holmström'.
The item is in good condition. V.F.
R II- (€1550.-) 2500.-
Previously in the collection of Thierry Mühlemann, Schaffhausen. This breast star is an excellent example of late 18th-century craftsmanship and is in remarkable condition for its age. Embroidered breast stars were awarded in accordance with the relevant regulations until 1871.
It is interesting that a name, Holmström, is mentioned above. There is an archbishop Holmström that was awarded the Serafimer order om 1854.12.05.  I will not leave that thought as it may be him that was awardded this Star.  He was awarded it on the basis of his posistion in the Church. Holmström is not a very commn Swedish name. Also one has to consider that these embroidered Stars were reused and some where awarded a long time after the produced date. I have at an earlier stage considered that Holmström might have been a person producing the embroidered Stars. 

-1772.08.19 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 120
Width  (mm): 120
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S659x
Date       : 1772.08.19 revolt

-1778.11.01 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 110
Width  (mm): 110
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S352x
Date       : 1778.11.01 awarded

-1780 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 95
Width  (mm): 95
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S118x
Date       : 1780 estimate

-1780 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S204x
Date       : 1780 from book

-1780 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 160
Width  (mm): 160
Weight(gr) : 31
Tracking # : S331x
Date       : 1780 estimate

-1780 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 96
Width  (mm): 96
Weight(gr) : 17.1
Tracking # : S512x
Date       : 1780 estimate
Knight#    : 

-1792 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S164x
Date       : 1792 masquerade in Stockholm

-1794.11.24 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S675x
Date       : 1794.11.24
Knight#    : 127

-1794.11.24 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm):
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S676x
Date       : 1794.11.24
Knight#    : 127

The photo of Brahe looks very nice. The details seem to indicate some briljanted orders.  Is this correct?
As for the Serafimer stars in this and previous records then they seem to be clearly different.  It may not be uncommon to have several stars of same order??  The embroidered ones were provided by the Chancery until 1871.  At the same time metal ones were privately produced. 

-1797.10.06 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm): 101
Width  (mm): 101
Weight(gr) : 74
Tracking # : S077
Date       : 1797.10.06
Knight #   : 133

The photo of Brahe looks very nice. The details seem to indicate some briljanted orders.  Is this correct?
As for the Serafimer stars in this and previous records then they seem to be clearly different.  It may not be uncommon to have several stars of same order??  The embroidered ones were provided by the Chancery until 1871.  At the same time metal ones were privately produced. 

-1799 Serafimer Star-

Height (mm):
Width  (mm): 
Weight(gr) : 
Tracking # : S198x
Date       : 1799 Printed
Knight #   :