Russia, Imperial. An Order of St. Stanislaus, Military Division, III Class Cross in Gold by Keibel

(Орден Святого Станислава. 3-й степени). Instituted 8 May 1765 by Stanisław II August of Poland; incorporated into Russian orders 1831 by Tsar Nicholas I. (1831-1917 issue). Constructed of 14K Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with red enameled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, situated within a Gold frame completing in ball finials and ribbed fans at each outer corner, the obverse of the arms joined through the quadrants by detailed double-headed Imperial eagles overlaid by national crests executed in exceptional jeweller detail, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a red enameled monogram of St. Stanislaus of Szczepanów, situated within a circular green enameled laurel leaf wreath, the reverse similarly bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted red and gilt monogram, situated within a circular Gold ring, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a ribbed fan suspension which culminates in an integral loop and suspension ring, connecting to a period original ribbon configured for formal wear and parade display, the reverse six o’clock arm bearing a partially-legible hallmark of “АК” for Albert Keibel, the twelve o’clock arm bearing a royal warrant, and the reverse of the integral loop bearing a zolotnik mark “56” indicating 14K Gold construction, measuring 40.92 mm (w) x 44.16 mm (h), weighing 15.3 grams (inclusive of ribbon), demonstrating flecking throughout the enamels, with scratching of the three o’clock arm and loss of enamels to the obverse wreath, a superb example in near extremely fine condition.