Order of Saint Andrew the First-Called, Miniature Badge
CATEGORY: Miniature
SKU: 01.RUS.0101.105.01.M.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
Russia, Imperial. An Order of Saint Andrew the First-Called, Miniature Version
(Орден Святого апостола Андрея Первозванного). Instituted 28 November 1698. Constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a black-enameled Romanov imperial eagle with feathering highlighted in Gold, overlaid by a blue enameled Saint Andrew’s Cross bearing an image of a crucified Saint Andrew the Apostle, each arm of the cross completing in Latin script letters “SAPR” for “SANCTUS ANDREAS PATRONUS RUSSIAE” (“SAINT ANDREW, PATRON OF RUSSIA), the reverse overlaid by a white enameled banner bearing a Russian Cyrillic inscription of “ЗА ВѢРУ И ВѢРНОСТЬ” (“FOR FAITH AND LOYALTY”), unmarked, measuring 11.85 mm (w) x 21.42 mm (h) (inclusive of suspension), weighing 3.0 grams (inclusive of ribbon), in extremely fine condition.
The Order was initially designed by Peter the Great in 1698, but it was not officially instituted until 1699.
It was considered the highest Order of Chivalry in the Russian Empire, and it was awarded for acts of extraordinary military or civil merit.
Recipients of this Order were automatically conferred the Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky, the Order of the White Eagle, the Order of Saint Anne (I Class only), and the Order of Saint Stanislaus (I Class only).
Low ranking recipients automatically moved up to the position of Lieutenant General or Vice Admiral.
The statutes for the Order were created in 1720, but were never officially approved by Peter the Great. Since the Tsar controlled the production of this Order, a number of variations exist.
This Order was discontinued during the USSR, and re-instituted as the most prestigious Russian Order by the Russian Federation in 1998.
The Order awards with diamonds were a special distinction and they were added to the award at the expense of the recipient.
When not worn with the collar, the badge could be worn at the left hip, on a particular sash.
The reverse features an inscription, translated as "For Faith and Loyalty".
There is limited information regarding this item.
Comments
Sign in to comment and reply.
COMMUNITY
ACCOUNT
Scroll Top
