November Uprising - Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari 1831

Silver Cross of the Order of Virtuti Militari from the 19th century, from the workshop of Pawel Siennicki. The piece was made during the period of the Congress Kingdom, most likely during the November Uprising in 1830-1831. The cross underwent conservation, probably back in the 19th century, which included replacing the medallions (obverse and reverse), applying secondary enamel or varnish to the shoulders and replacing the ribbon suspension ring.The order is in the form of a silver cross, on the obverse of which is a white enameled (or lacquered) crowned eagle with outspread wings, surrounded by the inscription "Virtuti Militari" on the black arms of the cross. The reverse features the engraved letters "SARP" (Stanislaus Augustus Rex Poloniae), alluding to King Stanislaus Augustus Poniatowski, and a central medallion with the coat of arms of Lithuania - the Lithuanian Pahonia. The arms of the reverse are complemented by the date "1792", referring to the establishment of the Order.A unique piece of high historical and collector value, representing an important testimony to Polish military and national traditions.