. Peter the Great: A Rare Russian Award Portrait Miniature with Diamonds, early 18th century an oval miniature of Peter the Great dressed in armor with a blue, ermine-edged cape and wearing the sash of the Order of St. Andrew the First Called, enclosed in a diamond-set frame, hinged and hanging from an Imperial crown enameled royal blue and set with numerous diamonds; the reverse with a gold oval plaque engraved with a triple-crowned, Imperial double-headed eagle (the eagle and orb retaining some of the original enameled decoration), the back of the diamonds' settings' enameled in white with r
. Peter the Great: A Rare Russian Award Portrait Miniature with Diamonds, early 18th century an oval miniature of Peter the Great dressed in armor with a blue, ermine-edged cape and wearing the sash of the Order of St. Andrew the First Called, enclosed in a diamond-set frame, hinged and hanging from an Imperial crown enameled royal blue and set with numerous diamonds; the reverse with a gold oval plaque engraved with a triple-crowned, Imperial double-headed eagle (the eagle and orb retaining some of the original enameled decoration), the back of the diamonds' settings' enameled in white with red and black ornament Height 3 1/2 in. cm The reign of Tsar Peter the Great marks the beginning of Imperial (rather than Muscovite) Russia, when the country greatly expanded and forged a new relationship with their western European neighbors. To achieve this, Peter had to destroy the power of some of Russia's old hereditary nobility and create new systems of political patronage. It is relatively well known that he achieved this in part by establishing Russia's first honorific orders such as the Order of St. Andrew the First Called. Recipients of this oldest and most important of Russian orders held the title for life; the Tsar also had other ways of recognizing and rewarding those who had rendered unusual service to him. For a very few trusted advisors and others who had accomplished great feats on the behalf of the sovereign, Peter the Great established a tradition of awarding a portrait miniature of himself surrounded by diamonds. Called a znak otlichiia (Award of Distinction) rather than an Order (orden), research currently suggests that the award of the portrait miniatures with diamonds was even a greater honor than being awarded the Order of St. Andrew. Prior to his death, Peter seems to have given out only about ten of the portrait miniatures with diamonds while at least thirty-eight persons had been made cavaliers in the Order of St. Andrew. Portraits of heroes of Pe
Size: 2032px × 2459px
Photo credit: © The Picture Art Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., /, /., 18th, century., kneller.
