Order of Saint Andrew and Order of Saint Vladimir breast stars of Emperor Alexander II

The coronation uniform with scarf (belt) that belonged to Emperor Alexander II, 1856.

Cloth, wool, silk, brocade, moiré, fringe, cord, base metal, gold thread, gold, silver; weaving, sewing, chasing, casting.
Length 84 cm; Sleeve Length 71 cm; Circumference 173 cm (bottom).

Collection of Moscow Kremlin Museums.

Three months after his accession, Emperor Alexander II began a reform that resulted in the Guards uniforms, while retaining their characteristic decorative elements, being given a new cut: the tailcoat-style uniforms were replaced by double-breasted uniforms, cut at the waist, with long, straight tails. Emperor Alexander II was crowned in a new general's uniform. The dark green cloth uniform with a red collar and cuffs fastens with gilded buttons bearing coats of arms and features gilded thread embroidery on the collar, cuffs, and pocket flaps. On the left side of the uniform are the stars of the Russian Orders of St. Andrew the First-Called and St. Vladimir. Epaulettes with thick, twisted general's fringe and the cipher of Emperor Nicholas I are pinned to the shoulders, along with an aiguillette with silver tips. The cipher and aiguillette were distinctive insignia of members of the imperial retinue and were awarded to Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich on the day of his coming of age, along with the rank of aide-de-camp to Emperor Nicholas I. Alexander II's coronation uniform also included scarlet cloth trousers with gold stripes and leather stirrups, worn over boots; a belt-scarf of silver brocade with black and orange threads; a magnificent black leather helmet with two patent leather visors, decorated with gilded bronze plates and a plume of cock's feathers; short boots made of black patent leather, with silver-plated copper spurs nailed to the heels.​

Both breast stars were privately-comissioned.

 

Details.

 

Under a different light.

 

Helmet from the coronation uniform of Emperor Alexander II, 1856.

Leather, metal, silk, feathers.
Crown height 17.5 cm; height 33 cm (with feathers); circumference 55 cm.

Manufactured by E.D. Bitner's Court Factory of Officers' Clothing /Придворная фабрика офицерских вещей Е.Д. Битнера/.

Collection of Moscow Kremlin Museums.

 

P.S. "... [Император] "был одет в элегантный военный мундир, который прекрасно сидел на его высокой, подтянутой и непринужденной фигуре. Мундир на нем был вроде длинного кителя белого цвета, доходившего до середины бедра, с золотыми петлицами, оторочен по вороту, запястьям и низу сибирским голубым песцом, грудь сбоку усеивали высокие ордена. Небесно-голубые узкие панталоны обтягивали ноги и заканчивались изящными ботинками".
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Теофиль Готье "Путешествии в Россию", 1866​

" ... [Emperor] "was dressed in an elegant military uniform, which sat perfectly on his tall, trim, and relaxed figure. His uniform resembled a long white jacket, reaching mid-thigh, with gold buttonholes, trimmed with Siberian blue fox fur at the collar, wrists, and hem, and decorated with high orders on the side of his chest. Sky-blue, tight trousers hugged the legs and ended with elegant boots."
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Théophile Gautier "Voyage en Russie", 1866​

Collection of Moscow Kremlin Museums.