Orders of Russia, Saint Alexander Nevsky and Saint Anne, Plate LXV, 1844

This is an original antique wood engraving, colored by hand, showing insignia of Russia. At upper left is a silver star with a red ring and a crowned gold script monogram on a white center, and at upper right a silver star with a red ring under a crown, two small angels and a red cross on a gold center. In the center a broad red sash carries a gold cross with red arms and gold eagles in its angles, its medallion showing a mounted figure; below it is a small reverse disc with a crown and red drapery over a monogram. At lower right a red cross with gold openwork in its angles and a saint at the center hangs from a red ribbon edged in yellow, with a small crowned red medallion and a monogram disc beneath. At lower left a gold medal with a red cross hangs from a blue ribbon edged in yellow.

The running head reads "RUSSIE." and the plate number "LXV." The items are numbered 7 to 11. The red ring of star 7 is cut "ЗАТРУДЫ: NОТЕРЕСТВО", a garbled rendering of the Cyrillic motto of the Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky (for labors and the fatherland). Star 9 is lettered "AMANT JUST PIET FIDEM.", the abbreviated Latin motto of the Order of Saint Anne (to those who love justice, piety and faith).

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.

The deep red sash and gold cross make a rich centerpiece for display.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.