Pseudo Orders of the White Eagle: Polish Canon's Сrosses

For obvious reasons these badges quite often confused with the early type of the order of the white eagle from the period of Alexander I. Numerous variations of these Canonical Distinctions /Dystynktorium Kanoniczne/Dystynktorii Kanonicznych (Kanonickich)/Dystynktorii Kościelnych/ with monogram of Alexander I (and monograms of other Russian Emperors) are known.​

Canon's Сross of the (allegedly) Sandomierz Cathedral Сhapter.

Silver, gild, enamel.
Size 101 x 64.5 mm.

Made in St. Petersburg by "CB" (presumably by Carl Becks workshop), marked with St. Petersburg assay office silver hallmark "84".

Enamel in reverse medallion was restored.

Monogram of Alexander I at obverse and Virgin Mary in the of reverse.

 

Examples from Zdzislaw Wesolowski's catalogue.

Source: Zdzislaw P. Wesolowski (1986) Polish Orders, Medals, Badges and Insignia Military and Civilian Decorations 1705-1985.

 

Cross of different work in gilded and silvered metal.

 

Full set with a breast star.

Cross.

Details.

Breast star.

 

Beautifully made early cross in gilded brass and enamel.
Total height with a crown 105 mm.

 

Modern version of the cross with Saint Casimir instead of Alexander I monogram.

Casimir Jagiellon (Latin: Casimirus; Lithuanian: Kazimieras; Polish: Kazimierz; 3 October 1458 – 4 March 1484) was a prince of the Kingdom of Poland and of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Second son of King Casimir IV Jagiellon, he was tutored by Johannes Longinus, a Polish chronicler and diplomat. After his elder brother Vladislaus was elected as King of Bohemia in 1471, Casimir became the heir apparent. At the age of 13, Casimir participated in the failed military campaign to install him as King of Hungary. He became known for his piety, devotion to God, and generosity towards the sick and poor. He became ill (most likely with tuberculosis) and died at the age of 25. He was buried in Vilnius Cathedral and his cult grew. His canonization was initiated by his brother King Sigismund I the Old in 1514 and the tradition holds that he was canonized in 1521.
There are more than 50 churches named after Casimir in Lithuania and Poland, including Church of St. Casimir, Vilnius and St. Kazimierz Church, Warsaw, and more than 50 churches in Lithuanian and Polish diaspora communities in America.
​

In wear.

 

Modern version of the cross with Pope Benedictus XV monogram instead of Alexander I monogram.

 

Cross that was made for the members of Diocesan Chapter of Lublin.

Gilded bronze.
Size 100,5 x 62,1 mm.

 

Cross with the monogram of Alexander II from 1855-1881 time period.

Silver, gild, enamel.
Size 85x60 mm.
Weight: 55.67 g.

 

Another modern reincarnation of the old design.

 

Another cross with monogram of Alexander I.

Bronze, gilt, silver, gold, enamel.

Medallions.

 

Badge from the collection of State Historical Museum, Moscow.

Gold, enamel.
Size 99х62 mm.

 

Selection.