The Order of St Anne, Grand Cross, Set of Insignia

comprising:

(i) Sash badge, by Emanuel Pannasch, St Petersburg, maker’s mark on suspension loop but date not visible, in gold and enamel, in the form of a red enamelled Maltese Cross, with gold openwork ornaments in angles and central painted enamel portrait of the Saint, rev., central enamelled monogram A J P F, with Imperial Warrant beneath red enamel on upper arm of cross, 51.5 x 46mm, suspending from original yellow-bordered red silk sash

(ii) Breast star, in cloth and bullion, as originally issued with the sash badge; the star with ribbed silver rays and wired sequins, legend and cherubs in silver on embroidered rose background, outer and inner circles in coiled silver wire, central red star on gold wire background, the backing with inscription in pencil 'Riband on Left Shoulder – Star on Right breast', 82 x 82mm



(iii) Breast star, probably by Rundell, Bridge & Co. and commissioned circa 1837-39, in silver, with pierced jewel-cut rays, the abbreviated motto of the Order AMAN. JUST. PIET. FID. (To those who love Justice, Piety and Fidelity) and cherubs supporting crown above in silver on a red enamelled background, central gold and red enamel cross on gold background, rev., gilt, with Russian style screw-back suspension and plain separate silver backplate, 93.5mm



(i) and (iii) in a purpose-made burgundy leather case, the lid embossed ST. ANNE. in gold, with silk lining stamped ‘Rundell, Bridge & Co./ Jewellers & Goldsmiths/ To The Queen,/ and Royal Family,/ 32 Ludgate Hill.’



 

Presented by Emperor Nicholas I of Russia to John George Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham, 1837

(i) sash badge: reverse centre slightly loose and with enamel chip on reverse lower arm, very fine (ii) breast star two or three rays slightly bent, extremely fine and nearly as made (iii) breast star considerable enamel losses at motto, extremely fine
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THE ORDER OF ST ANNE was founded by Duke Karl Friedrich of Holstein-Gottorp on 14 February 1735.  It was named for the mother of the Virgin Mary and in memory of his late wife Anna Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great.  After the death of Karl Friedrich in 1739, his son Karl Peter Ulrich succeeded him and was named as heir to the Russian throne by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna in 1742.  By the time of his becoming Emperor in late 1761, many Russian citizens had already been appointed Knights of the Order.

Following the dethronement of Peter by his wife Catherine II in 1762, their son the Grand Duke Paul became Grand Master of the Order.  On the day of Paul’s Coronation on 5 April 1797, he included the Order of St Anne amongst the Orders of the Russian Empire.  It was divided into three classes until 1815 when a fourth class was added as part of Alexander I’s reorganisation.

Sotheby's would like to thank Morton and Eden with their help in cataloguing this lot.