Four Soviet porcelain plates, M. Adamovich, State Porcelain Manufactory, 1920s

finely painted in sepia tones depicting scenes from the Russian Civil War, each inscribed in Cyrillic Western Front 1920. Train Station "Vileika-Vodokachka". Painted by the participant in the Great War and ex-Red Army soldier M. Adamovich with blue manufactory mark dated 1921; North-Western Front 1920. Frontier-crossers of the Yudenich Army. Painted by the participant in the Great War and ex-Red Army soldier M. Adamovich with blue manufactory mark dated 1920 and with green Imperial cypher for Nicholas II; Western Front 1920. Ruined train station on Lida-Polotsk Line. Painted by the participant in the Great War and ex-Red Army soldier M. Adamovich with blue manufactory mark dated 1921 and with green Imperial cypher for Nicholas II; Western Front 1920. Train station "Krivichi". Ruined water station. Painted by the participant in the Great War and ex-Red Army soldier M. Adamovich with blue manufactory mark dated 1921

In overall very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1921 Adamovich produced a series of drawings and watercolours based on his observations and experiences in the Red Army (1920 - 1921) and also reflecting his fascination with monuments and ruins of the past. According to Lydia Andreeva, a leading authority on Twentieth Century Russian porcelain, Adamovich usually executed these drawings in a deep green or brick-red, reminiscent of the drawings of the Romantic School of the 1820s and 1830s. Several of the series were used to decorate plates.

Adamovich was exposed to Roman monuments and classical ruins during his two years in Italy, studying art on a scholarship (1907 - 1909). He also had the opportunity to see Greek ruins when he went to Athens in early 1914 to produce a mosaic for the tomb of King George I.

These four beautiful plates decorated with bivouac scenes, in Adamovich's elegant style, have never appeared at auction before.

We are grateful to Nina Lobanov-Rostovsky for providing this note.