ORDER OF SAINT-ANDRÉ. - Lot 313

ORDER OF SAINT-ANDRÉ. Set comprising: a 14K (585°/°°) gold INSIGNE titled 56 zolotnik, finely chased, depicting St. Andrew nimbed in champlevé polychrome enamel on his Cross engraved "S.A.P.R." in reserve, itself applied to the double-headed eagle of the Russian Empire in black enamel. The reverse features a polychrome enamelled phylactery with the order's motto "For Faith and Fidelity" in Cyrillic. The polychrome-enameled imperial crown, from which two blue-enameled ribbons protrude, forms a mobile hoop. Work of Julius KEIBEL with imperial supplier's mark, St. Petersburg, before 1899; a silver PLAQUE 800°/°° titled 84 zolotnik in the form of a smooth star with eight main branches interspersed with rays, each ray separated by a filigree motif, the opaque polychrome enamel center applied with the double-headed eagle of the Russian Empire crowned and crossed by a cross of St. Andrew on a sand-blasted background, The chased gilded silver legend reading "Pour la foi et la fidélité" (For faith and loyalty) in Cyrillic is centered on two green enameled laurel branches on an opaque blue enameled background. Gilded silver reverse with vertical toggle pin. Made by KEIBEL with imperial supplier's mark, St. Petersburg, before 1899. Badge dimensions: Height: 85 mm. Length: 65 mm. Plate dimensions: Diameter: 90 mm. Total gross weight: 118.50 g. (Badge: the motto and blue ribbons are missing enamel, the tabs are re-soldered). History: The Imperial Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First is a Russian honorary order founded on August 30, 1698 by Peter the Great. The first Russian order, both in terms of the date of its creation under the reign of Peter I, and its place in the hierarchy of Russian orders, it has the distinction of being reserved for the most important figures in the state, both civil and military. Awarded just over a thousand times between 1699 and 1917 to non-members of the imperial family, it is extremely rare.