Russia, Imperial. A Rare and Superb Order of Saint Stanislaus, I Class Cross with Breast Star and Case by Keibel, c. 1895

(Орден Святого Станислава, I степень). Instituted 8 May 1765 by Stanisław II August of Poland; incorporated into Russian orders 1831 by Tsar Nicholas I. (1831-1917 issue). A rare and exceptional I Class set of the Order of Saint Stanislaus, consisting of:

1. A sash cross, constructed of 14K Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with each arm completing in ball finials and ribbed fans, the obverse of the arms finish with dark red enamels and joined through the quadrants by Imperial Russian double-headed eagles executed in exceptional detail, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted and interlaced red monogram of Saint Stanislaus in Latin characters, situated within a circular Gold laurel wreath with leaves completed in delicate green enamels, the reverse bearing an analogous central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted red monogram, the twelve o’clock arm fan topped by an integral loop which culminates in a suspension ring, the latter connecting to an original full-length silk sash by two drawstrings, the integral loop stamped with a zolotnik mark of “56” indicating 14K Gold construction, flanked by a Saint Petersburg city mark, the reverse of the twelve o’clock arm stamped with a partially-legible royal warrant, the reverse of the six o’clock arm stamped with the hallmark of the noted court jeweller Albert Keibel, measuring 61.54 mm (w) x 65.52 mm (h), weighing 28.0 grams, the sash ribbon measuring 11 cm in width, demonstrating only minor flecking to the enamels of the cross, a superb example in extremely fine condition.

2.  A breast star, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a vaulted and eight-pointed star, the obverse featuring pebbled rays, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a central gilded and red enameled interlaced  monogram of Saint Stanislaus, situated within a ribbed ring, in turn circumscribed by a raised and gilded inscription of “PRÆMIANDO INCITAT” (“REWARDING ENCOURAGES”), surrounded by a green enameled ring bearing four clusters of raised and gilded laurel branches, trimmed along both the inner and outer edges with ribbed and gilded rings, the reverse with a wide barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a rounded catch, engraved with a maker’s mark of “KEIBEL” in the firm’s classic cursive Latin script, situated below a royal warrant, and above a zolotnik mark of “84” indicating 875 silver content, flanked by a Saint Petersburg city mark, the reverse of the pinback similarly bearing a Keibel mark flanked by a symbol of the city of Saint Petersburg and a royal warrant, measuring 88.16 mm (w) x 90.18 mm (h), weighing 52.2 grams, demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels and a striking patina to the silver base, in extremely fine condition.

3. A presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux red leather exterior liner, the lid bearing an embossed and gilded Cyrillic inscription of “ЗНАКИ ОРДЕНА СВ. СТАНИСЛАВА 1Й СТЕПЕНИ” (“BADGES OF THE ORDER OF SAINT STANISLAUS I DEGREE”), situated within dual embossed stylized borders, opening to reveal a lid lined with an off-white satin base, featuring a hollow void to perfectly accommodate the accompanying sash ribbon, with a retractable gilded card stock frame which both highlights the accessory and secures it in place with clips protruding into interior from exterior hooks, featuring a beige velvet medal bed with depressions carefully configured to contain both decorations, closing with dual sliding bronze hooks, the bases of which fasten the sash ribbon frame in place inside the lid, unmarked with the exception of the lid inscription, measuring 17.5 cm (w) x 12.5 cm (l) x 3 cm (h), demonstrating minor and age-appropriate material fatigue, a rare example originally paired to the accompanying set in extremely fine condition.