1st-class Star of the Order of St Stanislaus

King Stanislaus August Poniatowski established the Order of Saint Stanislaus in 1765. Until the partitions of Poland, it was part of a three-order system, which included the Order of the White Eagle, the Order of Saint Stanislaus and the Military Order of Virtuti Militari. In 1831, the Order of Saint Stanislaus was incorporated into the Russian system of decorations and took the last place in the hierarchy. The Order decorations included a cross, a star and a ribbon of different sizes depending on their class. After regaining independence, the Order was not restored due to its destruction and degradation. The presented Star of the Order of St. Stanislaus of the 1st Class comes from the collection of General Franciszek Dzierżykraj-Morawski (1783-1861). The Polish poet, translator, and participant of the Napoleonic Wars received the Order of Saint Stanislaus in 1829 on the occasion of the coronation of Tsar Nicholas I as King of Poland. The Decree of 30 December 1831 changed the appearance of all the badges of the Order. The most remarkable differences concern the central, round badge and the texture of the rays. In Morawski's star, the initials SS (Sanctus Stanislaus) appear on the pea-shaped field of the badge, and the rows of small peas on the rays resemble diamonds, hence its name - the brilliant star. The badge is surrounded by the motto of the Order PRAEMIANDO INCITAT (Rewarding encourages). The whole is completed by a magnificent green enamelled laurel wreath in which nine red enamelled berries are placed. There is no signature on the star's back, and it is not easy to establish its manufacture date. In the light of research, it is dated after 1832.

Genowefa Horoszko