A gold and enamel copy of a collar of the Order of St Andrew, probably late 19th century

formed of nineteen medallions of three alternating types, comprising seven Imperial eagles each with central shield portraying St George and the Dragon, six saltire crosses of St. Andrew lettered SAPR, six trophies of arms bearing the cipher of Peter the Great, joined by gold links, apparently unmarked apart from post-1893 French gold import marks

All the medallions in the chain are cast. The enamelling is of somewhat variable quality but is generally coarse in comparison to the work of established 19th and early 20th Century Masters. There is considerable evidence of repair and retouching of the enamel on several elements. The reverses of all 7 Imperial Eagle medallions are heavily filed (almost flat) and 6 of the 7 show incised zig-zag test-marks. Of the St George and the Dragon centres one has the dragon missing and at least one other has been replaced, apparently with a copper-gilt (rather than gold) assembly. The reverses of 5 of the 6 St Andrew Cross medallions are also filed and tooled although retaining a concave character (as made), and these also bear comparable incised zig-zag test-marks. The sixth medallion is of a slightly differing but related style, being of marginally larger module and having finials to the enamelled rays. The flatter reverse does not show evidence of the same degree of filing or testing. The reverses of all 6 Trophy of Arms medallions are relatively lightly filed and are also broadly concave in pattern (as made). 5 of the 6 show double V-shaped incised zig-zag test marks similar to the straighter marks appearing on the other elements of the chain. total weight 392g all in
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The Order of St Andrew was founded by Peter the Great on 21 November 1698 as one of his many Western-orientated reforms of Russian traditions.  Named in honour of the first-called Apostle, the Order of St Andrew, awarded in one class only, has always represented the premier honour Imperial Russia could bestow.  Grand Dukes were decorated upon baptism and Princes of the Blood on their coming of age.  In the case of Russian recipients, there was an admission fee as well as the requirement to return the official insignia on death, thus the insignia could not be inherited, though copies were sometimes discreetly made for this purpose.