Russia, Imperial. An Order of Saint Stanislaus, Military Division II Class Cross in Gold by Eduard, c.1912

(Орден Святого Станислава, 2-я степень). Instituted in 1765. Type II (1856-1917). Constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with each arm completing in ball finials and with ribbed fans adorning the outer edges, the obverse arms finished in red enamels, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, overlaid on each quadrant by finely-detailed Romanov imperial eagles, featuring a central white enameled medallion bearing a hand-painted red monogram of Saint Stanislaus, set within a circular laurel leaf wreath highlighted in green enamels, the reverse featuring an analogous medallion, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop and suspension ring retaining a period original shortened length of neck ribbon, the reverse six o’clock arm maker marked “ЕДУАРД” for the St. Petersburg firm of Eduard, the twelve o’clock arm stamped with a master mark of “ВД” for Вера Петровна Дитвальд (Vera Petrovna Ditwald) used between 1910 and 1917, the loop bearing a Gold zolotnik mark of “56” for 14 karats, measuring 49.16 mm (w) x 53.00 mm (h), weighing 23.8 grams, with minor flecking of enamels and some tarnishing visible to the Gold base, a superb example in extremely fine condition.