Instituted in 1735. In bronze gilt with red and white enamels, painted obverse centrepiece, measuring 36.2 mm (w) x 40.2 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, original ribbon, original ribbon, mounted to a five-sided pressed cardboard suspension, 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