Tower and Sword collar of Viktor Balck

Collar of The Order of the Tower and Sword, issued to the key aide to Olympics founder P. De Coubertin

Viktor Balck wearing 4th class Collar

One of the sixteen link-pairs composing the Collar: each link-pair is 44 mm. long.
Collar's total length is 365 mm.

The silver and enamel Order of the Tower and Sword of Portugal, was origianally founded in 1459, and reinstituted in 1808. This Order is to this day the premier honor issued by that country.

Balck's 4th Class collar was issued by King Luís I (reigned 1861-1889), who was mostly a man of the sciences, with a passion for oceanography. During most of that century, the name was the "Ancient and Most Noble Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, of Valour, Loyalty and Merit".
While historically the Collar has generally been issued only with the 1st Class of the Order, during Luis' reign Collars were issued with all four classes of the Order.

Badge of the Order of the Tower and Sword, obverse:
Motto in Portuguese PELO REI R PELA LEI:
means "FOR KING AND LAW".
Book represents the Charter of the Monarchy.

Awards of Outstanding International Importance to Statesmen and Heroines

The (Swedish General) Viktor Balck Olympic Games-Founding Archive

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Badge of the Order of the Tower and Sword, reverse:
Motto in Portuguese VALOR LEALDADE E MERITO,
means "VALOR LOYALTY AND MERIT"

Central disk has maker's inscription
"J.A. DA COSTA
LISBOA
FABRICANTE".

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