Star of the Russian Order of St. Andrew the First-Called combined
with the Badge of the English Order of the Garter

Early 19th century

Russia

This star of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called was created in St Petersburg in the early 19th century and belonged to Emperor Alexander I. The first and highest Russian order of chivalry was founded under Peter the Great in 1698. It was not divided into degrees and was the only order in Russia to have a chain that was worn on festive occasions. The badge of the order - an X-shaped cross bearing a depiction of the crucified St. Andrew superimposed on a double-headed eagle - was worn on the left hip suspended from a pale blue ribbon put over the right shoulder. The motto of the order, "For Faith and Loyalty" is placed in the upper part of the enamelled ring embracing the central medallion which bears a depiction of the eagle with the St. Andrew's cross on its chest. A blue enamelled ribbon carries the motto of the English Order of the Garter "Honi soit qui mal y pense" - "Evil to him who evil thinks". Emperor Alexander I was made a knight of the senior English order (founded about 1350) in 1813. A ribbon in the form of a garter is one of the insignia of that order and is worn on the leg below the knee. In order to avoid wearing the badges of two orders, Alexander I indicated his membership of the Order of the Garter by adding its badge to the star of the Order of St. Andrew.