In two-layer silk, 57" x 44" including the flagpole sleeve but excluding the fringe, with the Soviet Union State Emblem showing sixteen scrolls which dates it between 1946 and 1956 when USSR had sixteen republics.

In very good to excellent condition. The colors are vibrant and fresh, and only an occasional darkish stain to the scarlet silk can be seen at close inspection. There are also a couple of areas of discoloration where the silk is lighter. None of the wear is too intrusive to the eye against the large and brightly colored banner. You can see the "worst offenders" in our photos with the quarter coin to give you an idea about their size.

Elaborate embroidery of the State Emblem shows some unusual colors and design elements. Abundant curly fringe glows with its gold sheen. The flagpole sleeve suggests that this banner was meant to be carried showing both its sides, not mounted to a backdrop or podium. All this raises the question: why was the other side of the banner left blank? Did it have something to do with the campaign of "de-stalinization" launched by Nikita Khrushchev in mid-1950s but "in the air" since soon after Stalin's death in 1953? Or was it purposefully ordered that way? We will never know but the mystery only makes the banner more attractive, in our opinion.

Please note that the yardstick in our last photo is for size reference.