Russia, Empire. An Imperial Order of St. Anne in Gold, Third Class, c. 1900

Instituted in 1735. Red enameled cross with ornamented Gold patterns in each of the corners, obverse centerpiece shows a hand-made figure of St. Anna on enamels of multiple colors, the reverse centerpiece bearing the hand-painted initials "A.I.P.F." for the Latin "Anna Imperatoris Petri Filia" (Anna, Emperor Peter's daughter) also on enamel, on original red ribbon, 39.7 mm (h) x 35.6 mm (w), the cross bears several marks, including a diana's head across the two barrels of the suspension loop, the integral ring is marked with a Gold zolotnik number of “56” for 14 karats, the six o’clock arm bearing apartial Russian Cyrillic maker’s mark of “ЕДУАРД” for the St. Petersburg-based firm of Eduard, enamel flak to obverse 6 o'clock arm, evidence of gilt wear on the gold patterns, better than very fine condition. 

Footnote: The Order of Saint Anne was established as a Holstein ducal and then Russian imperial order of chivalry established by Karl Friedrich, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, on February 14, 1735, in honor of his wife Anna Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great of Russia.