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Decoration Medal for the
Battle of Kalish
1706
Gold, enamel, diamonds, aquamarines
H 94 mm, w 55 mm
On 18 October 1706, Russian troops
led by Alexander Menshikov routed
the Swedes at Kalish after a three-hour
battle. There were some 5,000 dead
and another 5,000 were taken prisoner,
with minimal casualties sustained by
the Russians – 84 dead and 324
wounded. There was also considerable
booty in the form of 3 regimental
cannons, 400 flintlock rifles and 85
banners.
The battle was a major achievement of Russian military prowess during the Great Northern War. In keeping with an
old Russian tradition, all those who took part in the battle received awards of various types: soldiers were awarded
silver altyn (3-kopeck pieces) and the officers were awarded gold medals of different sizes and weights, according to
their rank. The Kalish medals for officers are of eight different types. The Hermitage has two decoration medals of the
Battle of Kalish for colonels which, unlike usual medals of the time, are oval-shaped with a frame decorated with
gems and enamel, very similar to the miniature imperial portrait awards known as personi.. The medal was made by
the Saxon medal engraver Gottfried Haupt, who worked at the Admiralty Mint in Moscow from 1704 to 1711. The
frame was probably painted by G.S. Musikiysky, a well-known miniaturist of Peter I's day. |