Orders of Russia, Saint Andrew and Saint Catherine Insignia, Plate LXIV, 1844

This is an original antique wood engraving, colored by hand, showing insignia of Russia. At upper left is a silver star with a black double headed eagle on a gold center and a blue ring, and at upper right an eight pointed star worked in silver brilliants with a pink ring and center showing a cross above a crown. Below, two badges hang from crimson bows, the left bow edged in silver, the right one plain: the left badge set with brilliants, the right one in gold and brilliants, each showing a female saint with a cross. In the center a broad blue sash carries a crowned black double headed eagle with a blue saltire bearing a small gold figure. At the foot is a section of gold collar: a crowned blue shield with a monogram among flags and trophies, a red rosette with a blue saltire, and a black double headed eagle with a red shield.

The running head reads "RUSSIE." and the plate number "LXIV." The items are numbered 1 to 6. The blue ring of star 1 is cut "ЗА ВѢРУ.N.ВѢРНООТZ.", a garbled form of the motto of the Order of Saint Andrew (for faith and loyalty). The crimson bows of items 4 and 5 carry fragments of the Cyrillic motto of the Order of Saint Catherine (for love and the fatherland) across their folds, and the pink ring of star 3 the same words jumbled. The saltire on badge 2 and on the collar rosette is lettered with the initials S, A, P and R.

The plate comes from Ordres de Chevalerie et Marques d'Honneur, published by Auguste Wahlen at Brussels by the Librairie Historique-Artistique, rue de Schaerbeek, 12, in 1844; the half title reads Histoire, costumes, décorations de tous les ordres de chevalerie, et marques d'honneur. Auguste Wahlen was the pen name of the Belgian writer Jean-François-Nicolas Loumyer (1801 to 1875), and the title page lists his own knighthoods in orders of Prussia, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Hanover, Greece, the Roman States, Saxe-Coburg and Brazil. The illustrations are relief prints, wood engravings, colored by hand with watercolor.

Condition: Light wear to the bottom right corner. Age toning, darker at the edges; handling soiling along the edges and scattered foxing in the margins. Printed image clean.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed.