First Class Badge “With Crown”, instituted in 1735. Sash Badge, 79 x 49 mm., GOLD, four-armed cross with accurate chiselwork under the translucent red enamel, flanked by the typical ornaments, chiseled and pierced, obverse centre medallion with the miniature-enameled image of the saint standing within landscape, moulded outer circlet; the reverse with white enameled medallion, bearing growned monogram, the lower arm, struck with Russian mark under the enamel, round upper loop with four spheres to which the Imperial Russian crown is hinged, the obverse with finely enameled details, the crown’s reverse, backed in gold with suspension loop, this, struck with Russian gold marks, with original sash ribbon.
A piece in the best Russian manufacture from the late 19th – early 20th Century, of great rarity and excellent condition. I RR!