Order of Saint Catherine, Greater Cross

SKU: 01.RUS.0102.101.01

Estimated market value:

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  • Grand Cross Badge Obverse

Attributes

  • country
    Russia
  • date of institution
    November 24, 1714
  • makers
  • remarks
    The Order was highest awarded exclusively to women, membership being restricted to Empresses, Queens, and Lady's of highest Nobility, Russian and foreign. The Greater cross was limited to twelve members outside of the Imperial Russian family. Since the creation of the Order by Peter I, the insignia had undergone substantial variations in respect to the size and design, and the size and number of Diamonds and gemstones being used in creation of each individual piece. Value of higher-end Russian Orders varies greatly; value depends on period and quality of manufacture, materials being used (such as Diamonds), maker and the provenance; as well as value of Russian currency and general economic situation in Russia. Only 724 of the St. Catherine orders of both classes were bestowed within two hundred years of its existence, which make this award among the absolute rarest of Russian orders.

History


The Order of St. Catherine was founded in 1714 by Tsar Peter the First to commemorate his wife's courage during the the Ottoman campaign of 1711. After his wife's death in 1727 the order was disbanded, but in 1797 Emperor Paul I reissued and redesigned the Order.

The Order can only be conferred upon women.

The Grand Cross could be conferred on Grand Duchesses, Princesses, and foreign noblewomen.

The ribbon attached to the badge is embroidered with the following: За Любовь и Отечество, translated as "For Love and the Fatherland".

The acronym "D.S.F.R." stands for Domine Salvum Fac Regem (O Lord Save the Sovereign), and the acronym "S.E.V." stands for Saint Catherine the Great Martyr.

The reverse features an inscription, translated as "Equals the Deeds of the Consort".

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Versions

  • Price

    N/A

  • Composition

    Gold/Diamond/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: D.S.F.R. S.E.V. Rev: AEquat: Munia: Comparis

  • Size

    55-60x61-65mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $80,000 USD

  • Composition

    Gold/Diamonds/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: D.S.F.R. S.E.V. Rev: AEquat: Munia: Comparis

  • Size

    74mm x 64mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This example sold by D. Markov/ The New York Sale in 2007 for $80,000. Since the creation of the Order by Peter I, the insignia had under...

  • View Item

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