Russia, Imperial. An Order of St. Anne, I Class Grand Cross Sash, c. 1910

Instituted in 1735. A fine period sash fabricated from silk, incorporating a decorative moiré pattern, with a wide bright red field flanked by yellow stripes, the edges trimmed in a thin bright red stripe, a band with a brass loop sewn in place near the bottom end for the placement of the badge, measuring 100 mm wide x 760 mm in length, vibrant colours, intact stitching, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of Saint Anne was established as a Holsteinducal and then Russian imperial order of chivalry 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. The motto of the Order is "Amantibus Justitiam, Pietatem, Fidem" ("To those who love justice, piety, and fidelity"). Originally, the Order of Saint Anne 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 Head of the Imperial House of Russia always is Master of the imperial Order of Saint Anne. It continued to be awarded after the revolution by Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich, and Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna. Membership of the Order was awarded for a distinguished career in civil service or for valour and distinguished service in the military. The Order of Saint Anna entitled recipients of the first class to hereditary nobility, and recipients of lower classes to personal nobility. For military recipients, it was awarded with swords.