Russia, Kingdom. An Order Of St. Stanislaus In Gold, Military Division, Grand Cross, By K. Edouard C.1910

(Орден Святого Станислава). Instituted 1765. (House of Romanov). Type II. Military Division. Of high quality Russian manufacture, an impressive and very desirable ball-tipped enamelled-red Maltese Cross in 14k Gold, embellished by two crossed Gold swords with fine-detailed hilts in each quadrant, with overlaid hand-chased Russian Imperial Eagles also in Gold, each eagle is adorned by the Russian crown and a central shield with a St. George image, obverse centre in white enamel presenting a hand painted "SS" (for Saint Stanislaus), encircled by an enamelling-green laurel wreath, reverse with fine Gold arms and enamelling-white centre medallion with hand-painted "SS" in red, the piece is multiple-marked with Russian office hallmarking, including a zolotnik fineness number "56" (14K Gold), kokoshnik assay mark denoting ornamental and subsidiary parts of the item, marked by maker’s mark on reverse 12 o'clock arm BД and partial "ЗДУАРАЪ" on the reverse 6 o'clock arm (for K. Eduard, St. Petersburg), measuring 63.02 mm (w) x 67.06 mm (h - inclusive of integral ring), weighing 32.6 grams, presenting toned Gold likely produced by previous cleaning products, with minimal green enamel wear, on correct but modern made sash, otherwise an extraordinary piece in near 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.