Regalia of a Knight of the Hungarian Order of St. Stephen (Grand Cross). 1765 Imperial Treasury Vienna [1535×2089]

The Royal Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen was founded in 1764 by Empress Maria Theresa. Its vestments consist of a green velvet mantle, decorated along the edges with rich gold embroidery (oak leaf tendrils) and trimmed with imitation ermine. Over this is a collar with the same decoration, featuring a gold and silver embroidered imitation of the Grand Cross in the center. The crimson velvet undergarment (scapular) is entirely covered with gold-embroidered oak leaf tendrils, the rank insignia of the holder of the Grand Cross. The ensemble is complemented by a kalpak (Hungarian headdress) with gold embroidery (oak leaves) and a wide trim of imitation ermine, decorated above the forehead with a white heron feather.