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2023-23, Order of Saint Stanislaus Ribbon
Order of Saint Stanislaus Ribbon
2023-23, Order of Saint Stanislaus Ribbon

Order of Saint Stanislaus Ribbon

Date1790
OriginEurope, Poland, Warsaw
MediumSilk, Copper, Enamel, Glass
DimensionsOverall: 3 1/2 × 55in. (8.9 × 139.7cm)
Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA
Object number2023-23
DescriptionMoire red and white silk ribbon with ends that are deeply pinked. Attached to the ribbon at the bottom is a long oval ring from which the enameled and paste set badge for the Order of Saint Stanislaus hangs. The badge is in the form of a Maltese cross made from paste stones with red foils set behind them mounted around a green bordered central white enamel circle showing St. Stanislaus wearing vestments with the letters "SS" to each side of him. Between each of the points of the cross, enameled Polish eagles radiate out from the center.
Label TextLewis Littlepage was awarded the Order of Saint Stanislaus in 1790 by King Stanisław August Poniatowski of Poland. The sash was worn over the shoulder with an enamled badge that hung from the bottom. This sash is missing its orginial badge.

Lewis Littlepage (1762-1802) was born in New Kent County, Virginia. Littlepage attended the College of William and Mary and later served with John Jay at the Court of Spain during the American Revolution. Due to problems with debt, he served with the Spanish Army during the attack on Minorca and the Seige of Gilbraltar. By 1786 he was admitted to the Court of Poland where he served as a Chamberlain to King Stanislaw II until 1795. With war raging across Europe and 2nd pariition of Poland, Lewis was forced to leave the Court and finally returned home to Virginia in 1801.
ProvenanceThis garment was worn by Lewis Littlepage (1762-1802) who was born in New Kent County, Virginia. Littlepage died in 1802, leaving his small estate to his step brother Waller Holladay. The survivng objects passed directly through the Holladay Family unitl gifted to the Valentine Musuem in 1952 by Mr. and Mrs. A. Randolph Holladay II. In 2022, the objects were transfered to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Upon Littlepage's death, several inventories were taken of his possessions and included "cloathes and decorations" worth $340.00.