A rare soviet porcelain plate, Vasily Timorev, State porcelain manufactory, 1922

the cavetto finely painted with a portrait of a woman, possibly Natalia Danko flanked by flowers, the border decorated with scrolling foliage within beaded bands, with artist's cypher, inventory number N238, initials G.O. in Cyrillic and green and blue manufactory marks

Christie's London, 27 April 1990, Lot 326
Christie's South Kensington, 7 July 2000, Lot 338 

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."

Vasily Timorev (1870-1942) was an artist and graphic designer. He began his artistic education at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts in St. Petersburg and later was admitted to Repin's workshop at the Academy of Arts. From 1918 he worked as graphic artist for the publisher Knebel. In the same year he began working as an artist at the State Porcelain Manufactory, where he remained until early 1923. Afterwards he concentrated his career on book designs but towards the end of 1920s returned to the Manufactory as a painter.
Natalia Danko (1892-1942) was a very talented sculptor. Living in St. Petersburg from 1908, she studied in workshops of Maria Dillon and Leonid Sherwood. From 1909 she worked in the workshop of sculptor Vasily Kuznetsov. In 1914 she began working at the Imperial Porcelain Factory as Kuznetsov's assistant, and from 1919 she headed the sculpture department of the renamed State Porcelain Manufactory.

The offered lot is remarkable for its quality of painted decoration and although other works by Timorev are known, it is unsual to find one on the market.