RUSSIAN EMPIRE (UNTIL 1917) / Российская империя (до 1917) - Imperial Order of Saint Anne2nd model (1797–1828), 2nd-grade cross, 68.7 x 60.0, jeweller's fabrication by an unidentified manufacturer from the end of the 18th century, bronze gilt (on the reverse partly gone), enamels, red and white paste stones, these on the reverse fixed with screws or rivets, 49.0 g, enamel painting, hairline crack and two small chips in the edge of the reverse centre, with elder ribbon piece. RRU 31A; ZK2 3138.
G.V.F.
Имперáторский орден Святой Анны. Крест 2 тип (1797–1828), 2 степень, 68.7 x 60.0 мм, изготовлен неизвестным ювелиром в конце 18 века, бронза позолота (на оборотной стороне позолота частично стёрта), эмаль, красные и белые камни, 49.0 г, роспись по эмали, тонкие трещинки в центре оборотной стороны, часть старой ленты. RRU 31A; ZK2 3138.
Состояние лучше чем очень хорошее
The one-grade Order of Saint Anne was created in 1735 by Karl Friedrich, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf (1700–1739) in commemoration to his wife Anna Petrovna (1708–1728), a daughter of the Russian Tsar Peter I "The Great" (1662–1725), and dedicated to St. Anne, mother of Our Lady Mary.
Their son Karl Peter Ulrich von Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf who was nominated successor to the Russian Empress Elizabeth Petrowna (1709–1762) with the name Peter Fjodorovich transferred the order to Russia in 1761 after his accession to the throne as Peter III, where it remained also after the renunciation to the German Duchy by Empress Catherine II "The Great" (1729–1796) in 1773. But only with the coronation of Emperor Paul I Petrovich (1754–1801) on April 5, 1797, the order, now with three grades, was integrated into the Russian system of orders of chivalry.
As a special sign of imperial grace, the order could be conferred "in diamonds". Since August 16, 1804, according to a respective decision of the emperor, new knights of the Order of St. Andrew, who were not yet knights of the Order of St. Anne 1st grade could receive both insignia together. In 1815 the 3rd grade (the sabre of St. Anne) became the new 4th grade of the order, and a cross for the 3rd grade was instituted. Originally, hereditary nobility status was conferred to all holders, but since 1845 it was given only personal nobility status for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade.
In 1828 the crosses received a new design, and a bow was introduced on the ribbon of the 3rd grade when conferred for military merit. Also, as a special sign of imperial grace, from 1831 until 1874 the insignia of the 1st and 2nd grade could be conferred with an imperial crown. It was also decreed that the breast stars for these special bestowals had to be in metal. On August 9, 1844, the order's cross for Non-Christians was introduced, and in 1855 the crossed swords when the order was given for valour. On July 15, 1855, metal breast stars became official.
With the end of monarchy in Russia in February 1917 the order ceased to exist. Still, during the Civil War some commanders of the so-called "White Army" continued to confer the order mostly in it’s lower grades until the first years of the 1920ies.