Russia, Empire. An Order of St. Anna, II. Class with Swords (Military Division) by Eduard

(Орден Святой Анны). Instituted on February 14th, 1735. Constructed of 14 kt Gold, consisting of a red enameled cross with ornamented Gold patterns with swords in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a white enameled centerpiece bearing the hand-painted figure of St. Anna, the reverse with a similar white enameled medallion, bearing the hand-painted initials “A.I.P.F.” for the Latin “Anna Imperatoris Petri Filia” (Anna, Emperor Peter’s Daughter), suspended from a raised integral ring and double-looped oval suspension ring for suspension from its correct replacement neck ribbon, marked “56” for Gold content on the integral ring and marked with the maker mark “B” for manufacture by Eduard of St. Petersburg on the oval suspension ring, in the enamels on the top arm of the reverse, as well as marked with a the Russian “Lady’s Head” Assay Office mark on the reverse of the sword handles, measuring 43.5 mm (w) x 48.4 mm (l), weighing 21.97 grams, in near extremely fine condition.