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The Order of
Saint Andrew the First-Called was established by Tsar Peter I in 1698.
The Order is recognized as the most senior of all of the Imperial Russian
awards. Recipients of the Order automatically became Knights of The Orders of
Saint Alexander Nevsky and White Eagle; and First Class of the Orders of Saint Anne
and Saint Stanislas.
During his
lengthy visit to Western Europe, Tsar Peter witnessed the pomp and splendour
of the royal courts, with sovereigns and courtiers wearing decorations and
medals. When he returned to Russia in September 1698, he decided to
adopt the Western style and created Imperial Russia's system of orders and
medals.
The Order of Saint Andrew could only be awarded at the sole
discretion of the Tsar and is reserved for royalty,
nobility and senior foreign dignitaries. Initially, the Order had only
one class and two divisions (military and non-military); from 1797, onwards, Tsar Paul I established a
new, more senior class of the Order, in which the insignia were decorated
with diamonds.
All of the following are available for special
order. Please email us at
lmt@kaiserzeit.com for further information.
The regalia of the Order consisted of three parts:
1.
Order of Saint Andrew Collar: A golden collar, which was only to
be worn on state occasions, consisting of 17 polychrome enamlled medallions and the
Badge Appendant. (Only available by special order).
2. a)
Order of Saint Andrew Badge: Consisting of St. Andrew on the cross
superimposed upon the Imperial eagle and surmounted by the Imperial Russian
Crown. The letters: "S.A.P.R.," which stands for: Santus Andreas
Patronus Russiae (Saint Andrew Patron of Russia), appear at the end of each
arm of the cross. When the Badge was not attached to the Collar as the Badge
Appendant, it was worn on the left hip, suspended from a powder blue sash.
Badges of the Order ranged in size from 67 to 83 mm. (Please check for
availability and pricing):
b)
Order of Saint Andrew
Badge with Swords:
c)
Order of Saint Andrew
Badge with Brilliants:
3.
The eight-pointed silver Star of the Order of St. Andrew bears a
medallion with with the inscription: "For Faith and Loyalty" encircling
the crucified St. Andrew superimposed on the Imperial Russian eagle. The
military division of the Order has crossed swords placed under the
medallion. Where a military recipient of the Order later received
another award of the Order of Saint Andrew the First-Called, crossed
swords would surmount the centre medallion of the Star. The Star could be
embellished with diamonds where the Tsar bestowed the senior class of the
Order. Stars of the Order varied between 76 and 90 mm.
(Please check for availability and pricing).
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a)
Order of Saint Andrew
Star:
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b)
Order of Saint Andrew
Star with Swords: |
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c)
Order of Saint Andrew
Star with Crown: |
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d)
Order of Saint Andrew
Star with Facets: |
e)
Order of Saint Andrew
Star with Brilliants: |
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