2nd class St. George order of Field Marshal Iosif Gurko

Rare set that was made by Nichols & Plinke firm https://asiamedals.info/threads/n-p...nke-anglijskij-magazin-nikols-i-plinke.28051/ /in turn most likely set was made to Nichols & Plinke by Ivan Osipov workshop/.

Gold, enamel.
Size 50×50 mm
Weight 24.45 g.

Unmarked.

Collection of State Historical Museum, Moscow.

Iosif Vladimirovich was awarded with 2nd class St. George order on January 22, 1879.

Official citation.

"For personal military merits and for a number of brilliant feats rendered by the troops under his command, both during the two-time crossing of the Balkan Mountains in 1877 and in all subsequent fights with the Turks"

"За личныя боевыя заслуги и за целый ряд блистательных подвигов, оказанных войсками, находившимися под его начальством, как при двукратном переходе Балканских гор в 1877 году, так и во всех последующих делах с турками".

Iconography.​

 

Breast star.

Silver, gilt, enamel.
Size 78×78 mm
Weight 59.25 g.

Marked with a St. Petersburg assay office silver hallmark "84+anchors" and maker's mark "NP" for Nichols & Plinke workshop.

Collection of State Historical Museum, Moscow.

Marks.

Central medallion.

Under a different light.

 

Count Iosif Vladimirovich Romeyko-Gurko/Граф Ио́сиф Влади́мирович Роме́йко-Гурко́ (28 July [O.S. 16 July] 1828 — 28 January [O.S. 15 January] 1901), also known as Joseph or Ossip Gourko, was a prominent Russian field marshal during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878).

Of Belarusian extraction, Gurko was educated in the Imperial Corps of Pages, entered the hussars of the Imperial Guard as a sub-lieutenant in 1846, became captain in 1857, adjutant to Alexander II of Russia in 1860, colonel in 1861, commander of the 4th Hussar Regiment of Mariupol in 1866, and major-general of the emperor's suite in 1867.

He subsequently commanded the grenadier regiment, and in 1873 the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, of the cavalry of the Imperial Guard. Although he took part in the Crimean War, being stationed at Belbek, his claim to distinction is due to his service in the Turkish war of 1877. He led the spearhead of the Russian invasion, took Tarnovo on July 7, crossed the Balkans by the Haim Boaz pass—which debouches near Hainkyoi—and, despite considerable resistance, captured Uflani, Maglizh and Kazanlak; on July 18 he attacked Shipka, which was evacuated by the Turks the following day. Thus within 16 days of crossing the Danube, Gourko had secured three Balkan passes and created a panic at Constantinople.

He then made a series of successful reconnaissances of the Tundzha valley, cut the railway in two places, occupied Stara Zagora (Turkish: Eski Zagra) and Nova Zagora (Turkish: Yeni Zagra), checked the advance of Suleiman Pasha's army and returned again over the Balkans. In October he was appointed commander of the allied cavalry, and attacked the Plevna line of communication to Orhanie with a large mixed force, captured Gorni-Dubnik, Telish and Vratsa and, in the middle of November, Orhanie itself. Pleven was isolated, and after its liberation in December Gourko led his troops amidst snow and ice over the Balkans to the fertile valley beyond. He liberated Sofia and decisively defeated Suleiman Pasha at the Battle of Philippopolis and occupied Adrianople. The armistice at the end of January 1878 stopped further operations. With the help of Carol I of Romania and a few other Russian commanders such as : Michael Nikolaevich and Iosif Vladimirovich Gourko, the Russian Empire managed to break free Romania, Serbia and Montenegro. After a Russian victory the Treaty of Berlin was signed.

In 1879–1880, Gurko was a governor of St. Petersburg, and from 1883-1894 Governor-General of Poland, where he enforced the Russification policies of Alexander III.

He died in 1901, near the city of Tver.

Iosif Vladimirovich wearing the very same 2nd class cross and breast star of St.George order.

 

On display.

 

Golden Weapon "For Bravery" of Field Marshal Iosif Gurko.

Golden Weapon "For Bravery" of Field Marshal Iosif Gurko

Officer's cavalry saber, model 1827. Belonged to Field Marshal I.V. Gurko https://asiamedals.info/threads/2nd-class-st-george-order-of-field-marshal-iosif-gurko.23450 Damascus steel, gold, steel, wood; forging, engraving, notching, casting, enamel, painted enamel, mounting. St. Petersburg, last...

asiamedals.info

 

Gurko's breast star of St.Alexander Nevsky order (also made by Nichols&Plinke).

Orders of St. Alexander Nevsky made by Nichols&Plinke workshop /NP/

Diamond-cut breast star with crown. Belong to the Field Marshal Iosif Gurko https://asiamedals.info/threads/2nd-class-st-george-order-of-field-marshal-iosif-gurko.23450 Silver, gold, enamel. Size 83 х 81 mm. Weight 47.20 g / 58.5 g. (together with a screw plate). Marked St. Petersburg assay...

asiamedals.info

 

Gurko's badge and breast star of White Eagle order (breast star was made by Nichols&Plinke)

Reduced Orders of the White Eagle for Wearing Around the Neck or in the Medal Bar

See also https://asiamedals.info/threads/reduced-orders-of-the-white-eagle-in-photos.28870/ Excerpt from Rules of Wearing. "With the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky the breast star of the Order of the White Eagle with and without swords is not worn and the badge of this order with orders: a) St...

asiamedals.info

Orders of White Eagle made by Nichols & Plinke workshop

Breast star of Field Marshal Iosif Gurko https://asiamedals.info/threads/2nd-class-st-george-order-of-field-marshal-iosif-gurko.23450 Silver, gold, gilding, enamel. Size 87х87 mm. Weight 59.8 g. Marked St. Petersburg assay office silver hallmark "84" and maker's mark "NP" for Nichols & Plinke...

asiamedals.info

 

Orders of St. Andrew Breast Stars made by Albert Keibel workshop /AK/

Crosses of Saint Andrew order made by Albert Keibel workshop https://asiamedals.info/threads/orders-of-st-andrew-made-by-albert-keibel-ak.30518/. Breast star from 1882-1898 time period. Silver, gilt, enamel. Size 92×92 mm. Weight 49.1 g. Marked with St. Petersburg silver assay hallmark...

asiamedals.info