A porcelain Easter Egg, Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, circa 1890

after a design by O.S. Chirikov, the central reserve with a finely painted figure of St. Nicholas depicted wearing a white chasuble holding The Gospel and a bag of gold, within an oval green frame highlighted with gilt leaves and inscribed in Old Church slavonic Saint Nicholas, Miracle-worker, the reverse decorated with the Greek cross with Christ Pantocrator in the centre painted on yellow ground and encircled by a pattern of stars, rosettes and garlands of stylised leaves

The gilding is very lightly scratched, UV light reveals an obvious area of reattaching to the green border on the reverse, some embellishments probably added later.
"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."

This is a rarely depicted scene but arguably the most famous story told about the life of St. Nicholas.  He once came to the help of one of the citizens who had three beautiful daughters but who had fallen on hard times. The girls' marriage prospects became very bleak upon losing their dowries, and they were destined to be sold into slavery, or prostitution. Then the story is told in a few different ways. In one version, St. Nicholas climbed up on their roof three nights in a row and threw gold coins down their chimney so that they would land in the girls' stockings, which had been hung by the fire to dry. After two of his daughters had been able to marry because of the money mysteriously appearing in their stockings. The father was very anxious to know who the secret benefactor who saved his family from dishonour was and one night he kept watch and caught the generous Bishop. Nicholas did not wish to be known and therefore begged the man to keep his identity secret. He told the father to thank God alone for providing these gifts in answer to his prayers for deliverance.