Order "Red Banner".

[Sergei]

Originally Posted by Koopyetz

Marc,
What a beautiful award.
Rick

Rick,
As an artist (apart from being a collector ) can you explain, in very simple terms please, how the style of the award design changed in 1930's. This is bound to be clumsy but from what I see, early Soviet orders were all done in a particular style (with a hint of Eastern influence?) but from 1930 onwards, with Stalin at the helm, the design looks entirely different. Or is it all my unqualified imagination?
Sergei

[Koopyetz]

Hello Sergei:
I will try to answer your question in my humble opinion as a new collector.
Prior to the formation of the Soviet Union I believe that the design of the ORB
reflected the region and ethnicity of the individual receiving the award.
The formation of the USSR called for an award to be designed that brought all the regions under one banner. When I look at the ORB I think of the task the designer had to create an award that reflected this new union. The use of the hammer and plough is I believe tied to the word worker on the banner.
As a military award I see the red star and bayonet meeting this task.

My earliest contact with an ORB that has stayed with me was a screwback version that inspired this drawing.
Rick