Ex Klenau Auction 64 of April 15, 1972, cat. № 3461 (sold for DM 635.00).
Due to the numerous members of noble Russian families that fled to Western Europe (especially to France and Germany) after the fall of monarchy and the Provisional Government, some German and French manufacturers (such as for example Godet & Sohn and Paul Meybauer in Berlin) in the 1920ies produced insignia of Russian orders, the higher grades in silver and the lower grades in silver or in bronze.
The four-class Order of the Saint and Victorious Great Martyr George for military merit was instituted by Empress Catherine II 'The Great' (1729–1796) on November 26, 1769, and its statutes were approved on the same day. The order was dedicated to St. George, in the eastern as well as in the western churches the patron of knighthood and soldiers. Intended as an order for personal valour for commissioned officers, the fourth grade could also be conferred for 25 years of service or after 18 (since 1831: 20) naval missions. Since 1816 these pieces showed a respective designation on the cross arms.
Not conferred during the reign of Emperor Paul I Petrovich (1754–1801), the order was renewed by his son and successor Alexander I. Pawlovich (1777–1825) on December 12, 1801. On December 6, 1833, Emperor Nicholas I Pawlovich (1796–1855) approved new, very specified statutes. On August 9, 1844, the order's cross for Non-Christians was introduced and on October 27, 1846, so were the respective breast stars. On July 15, 1855, metal breast stars became official. With Ucas dated May 15, 1855, Emperor Alexander II Nicholajevich (1818–1881) stipulated that further on all grades could be conferred only 'for valour on the battle field'. Despite this, the bestowals of 4th grades for long services continued until about 1876. On August 10, 1913, Emperor Nicholas II Alexandrovich (1868–1918) approved new statutes.
After the fall of monarchy in the Russian Empire in February 1917, the Provisional Government continued to confer the order. After the October Revolution the new Bolshewiki Government in 1918 abolished the order. Still, during the Civil War some Generals of the so-called 'White Army' continued to confer the order mostly in ist lower grades until the first years of the 1920ies.
Affiliated to the order was the 'Decoration of the Military Order', created by Emperor Alexander I Petrovitch on February 13, 1807. On August 9, 1844, ist edition for Non-Christians was approved. With Ucas of March 19, 1856, Emperor Alexander II Nicholajevich divided the cross into four grades. With the new statutes in 1913 it received ist new name 'St. George Cross'. Continued by the Provisional Government, also the St. George Cross was abolished by the Bolshewiki Government in 1918. Still, like the order, during the Civil War some commanders of the so-called 'White Army' continued to confer the cross, some with slightly changed design.
The Presidency of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation reinstalled the order with Ucas № 2424-1 of March 2, 1992. This was confirmed by the Russian President Vladimir Vladimirowich Putin withv Ucas № 1463 of August 8, 2000.
Происходит с аукциона Klenau 64, 15 апреля 1972, лот № 3461 (продан за 635 немецких марок).