Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky, Type III, Civil Division, Cross (with diamonds)
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.RUS.0105.101.01.001
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
Cross in gold, diamonds and enamels. The medallion ring and the tsarist between the arms of the cross Double eagle set with cut diamonds. The cross arms in a particularily high-arched design with a translucent glow red enamel, paritally repaired. Medallions in fine Russian enamel painting, the double headed eagles finely chased on reverse. Impressive and beautifully worked original copy of Russian manufacture y extraordinary great rarity.
Conceived as a purely military order by Peter the Great, this Order was never awarded during the Czar's lifetime. Empress Catherine I began to award the Order after her husband's death, although she did not award it solely for military pursuits. The USSR adopted this Order and secularized it.
This Order could be awarded, at the sovereign's discretion, with diamonds to a particularly deserving individual. The badge could be worn on the left hip.
There were many variations of this badge, including a non-Christian version with the Russian Imperial Eagle in the centre, as opposed to a likeness of the saint. Saint Alexander Nevsky may be facing either the left or right.
The badge can either be surmounted by a small crown, a large red crown or a large golden crown.
The versions with red glass are an earlier model of the Order, and the versions with swords are awarded for military merit.
This Order has been awarded approximately 3,750 times since its inception in 1724.
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