Russia, Imperial. An Order of Saint Vladimir in Gold, IV Class with Swords

(Императорский Орден Св. Равноапостольного Великого Князя Владимира). Instituted in 1782. In 14K Gold, a beautiful and thick red enamelled cross with black bordered edges, crossed swords occupy the quadrants piercing the centerpiece, the handles of the swords have been privately altered and period cast to differentiate the handle from the blade, the obverse medallion features a red and white enamelled crowned curtain on a black field, the reverse medallion inscribed in Russian with the institution date "22 СЕНТЯБРЬ 1782" (September 22, 1782), marked with 56 zolotniks on the ring and Kokoshnik assay marked of woman’s head (1908-1917) on the sword tips, maker marked in Cyrillic on each obverse sword handle ИВ, with a partial makers mark on the ring, measures 37.8mm (w) x 42.80mm (h – integral ring included), weighs 11.7 grams, minor enamel damage to reverse medallion, obverse medallion slightly loose, otherwise a beautiful decoration, in extremely fine condition.