Russia, Imperial. An Order of St. Anne, II Class Cross in Gold by Keibel, c.1900

 (Орден Святой Анны). Instituted on February 14th, 1735. A delicately hand manufactured example of this order, constructed of 14 kt Gold, consisting of a red enamelled cross with ornamented Gold patterns with swords in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a white enamelled centerpiece bearing the hand-painted figure of St. Anna, the reverse with a similar white enamelled 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 a section of original ribbon, marked “56” for 14kt Gold purity, marked AK denoting Albert Keibel manufacture under the enamels of the 6 o’clock arm, measuring 43.0 mm (w) x 48.9 mm (l), weighing 14.0 grams, the enamels extremely well preserved and in overall near mint condition.