In gold and enamels; measures 42.5 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 40.3 mm in width; weighs 10.1 g not including the connecting link and ribbon. This very attractive and elegant, early Albert Keibel piece is superior in quality to the later issues even by the same manufacturer. The enamel on the arms is of deep shade of red and beautifully translucent, allowing a clear view of the hand-cut guilloche pattern on the gold. The depiction of the leaves in the band is more subtle and the details of the eagles are more precise than that on the more recent pieces.

Maker-m

In gold and enamels; measures 42.5 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 40.3 mm in width; weighs 10.1 g not including the connecting link and ribbon. This very attractive and elegant, early Albert Keibel piece is superior in quality to the later issues even by the same manufacturer. The enamel on the arms is of deep shade of red and beautifully translucent, allowing a clear view of the hand-cut guilloche pattern on the gold. The depiction of the leaves in the band is more subtle and the details of the eagles are more precise than that on the more recent pieces.

Maker-marked "AK" on the reverse lower arm; the reverse upper arm shows a double-headed eagle warrant, designation of the official supplier to the Kapitul (Chancellery) of Russian Imperial Orders. The eyelet has a "56" gold hallmark - only partly stamped but clearly recognizable - with the crossed anchors and scepter of the St. Petersburg assay inspection. Combined with the AK maker mark, this type of gold hallmark indicates the period of manufacture between 1882 when Albert Keibel inherited the jewelry firm from his father Julius (aka Ivan) Keibel and 1899 when the style of assay marks changed to "Kokoshnik".

Very fine to excellent overall condition. The red enamel on the arms is overall well-preserved, free of chips, flaking, repairs or other glaring flaws. A careful examination reveals a couple of tiny hairlines on the left arm, but these are not easy to notice without a magnifying glass. The enamel on both sides of the center medallion is perfect and the cyphers are completely intact. The green enamel filling the leaves in the band is likewise intact.

The eagles between the arms are original and perfect, free of dings, scratches or other signs of wear, and have not been repaired or reattached. (The eagles on the insignia of the Order of St. Stanislaus are a notoriously weak element of its design; they are often reattached or even replaced with a replica on surviving examples of this decoration.) The gold on the reverse of the arms is free of dents, significant scratches or any other wear noticeable to the unaided eye.

The decoration comes on its original jump ring in marked gold. The ribbon is original; it is folded into a traditional five-sided shape with its ends sewn-in, exactly as it was once worn by the original owner. The ribbon shows wear but is still sound and clean, adding a great deal of character to the award.
$1,300.00  Add to cart