Russia, Imperial. An Order Of Saint Stanislaus In Gold, Iii Class Badge, C.1900

(Орден Святого Станислава). Constructed of Gold, a red-enamelled Maltese cross with ball finials, featuring Russian double-headed imperial eagles in each quadrant, also presenting semi-circles rays between the tips of the cross, obverse centre with hand-painted “SS” letters on a white-enamelled background, surrounded by an enameled green laurel wreath, the reverse showing plain Gold arms as well as a white-enamelled centre, with hand-painted “SS” in red, stamped by Russian coat of arms on the 12 o’clock arm, symbolising approving by the Sar, marked by maker’s mark “IK” of Ivan Keibel (1788-1862) from St. Petersberg on the six o’clock arm, marked “56” (for 14 Kt. Gold) beside the city mark on the integral ring, measuring 38.27 mm (w) x 43.44 mm (h - inclusive of integral ring), weighing 10.4 grams, with casting 1 o’clock eagle, on flat suspension loop and original period red ribbon, extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Originally this was a Polish Order created on May 7, 1765 by King Stanislaus II, to honour the Patron Saint of Poland, St. Stanislas of Krakow. This Order became a Russian Order after the Polish Rebellion of 1830, when Polish forces were suppressed. It was adopted as a Russian Order in 1831.