Russia, Imperial. Imperial An Order of Saint Anna, II Class, c.1870

(Орден Святой Анны). Instituted in 1735. In 14K Gold with red and white enamels, the obverse centrepiece with the image of Saint Anna, the reverse centrepiece with her crowned monogram, weighing 11.1 grams, very top quality, maker marked in Russian "Д.O" (D.O) and marked "56" (14K Gold) beside the St. Petersburg city mark on the reverse of the integral ring, measuring 38 mm (w) x 42.2 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, without loop and ribbon, extremely fine. Footnote: The Imperial Order of Saint Anna (also "Order of Saint Anne" or "Order of Saint Ann") was a Holstein ducal and then Russian Imperial order of chivalry. It was established by Karl Friedrich, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, on February 14, 1735, in honour of his wife Anna Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great of Russia. Originally, the Order of Saint Anna was a dynastic order of knighthood, but between 1797 and 1917 it had dual status as a dynastic order and as a state order. The Order of St. Anna continued to be awarded after the revolution by Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich, and Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna. Today, the Russian Imperial Order of St. Anna, awarded by Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna is recognized as an order of chivalry by the privately operated ICOC as a continuation of the pre-Revolutionary order, and has been approved for wear with military uniform by the Russian Federation, but not by some members of the Romanov Family Association. It was and is awarded for a distinguished career in civil service or valour and distinguished service in the military, in four grades.