For Faith and Loyalty. The history of the Capitulum of Russian Imperial and Royal Orders

Decoration with portrait of Peter the Great
Moscow, Kremlin Workshops, early XVIIIth century
Gold, silver, precious stones, glass;
Maltian Crown
Russia (?). Late XVIII-early XIXth century.
Gold, silver, silk, velvet.
Star of order of St. Alexander Nevsky
Russia. First quarter of the XIXthb century
Silver, gold.
2nd grade cross of Order of St. Anne, with a crown, for non-christians
Russia. First half of the XIXth century.
Sign of Order of St. Catherine in the shape of a medallion
Russia. Late XVIIIth century.
2nd grade Cross of Order of St. Vladimir
Russia, St.-Petersburg. 1840-s

December, 9, 2004 - April, 3, 2005

The State Hermitage Museum, Saint-Petersburg

Organised by:: The State Hermitage, Moscow Kremlin Museums, The Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts, the State Museum-Preserve “Gatchina”

1# Decoration with portrait of Peter the Great The exposition in the State Hermitage is devoted to history and activity of the Capitulum of Russian Imperial and Royal Orders. " For freedom and fealty " - the motto of the first Russian order of St.Andrew the First-Called founded by Peter I in 1698-1699. This event founded the new system of awards and formation of order administration.

The system had existed till the October Revolution and was cancelled by the decree from February, 21, 1918. The were ten chancellors in the history of the Capitulum. Among them Prince A.B.Kurakin, Prince P.M.Volkonsky, Count I.I. Vorontsov-Dashkov and others.

At an exhibition in the Winter Palace all basic versions of award signs, medal clothes, attributes of orders' officials, awarding weapon of the Russian Empire are presented. Moscow Kremlin Museums have presented more than 60 exhibits, among them - suit of Peter II with St. Andrew the First-Called order signs and St. Alexander Nevsky, awarding weapons of St. Anne and St. George Orders, a coat of an Ober-Ceremonimeister of Russian Cavalry orders.