A CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL PLATE circa 1770-75

painted in the center with a coronet above the Imperial Russian double-headed eagle of Empress Catherine II, his breast emblazoned with a shield depicting St. George slaying the dragon encircled by the Order of St. Andrew, the cavetto with a gilt rocaillerie border, and the rim with blossoms and pendants interrupting a gilt network border.

Empress Catherine II of Russia, the reverse bearing the Gatchina Palace inventory number r.4 2586. in red enamel
Property from a South American Collection, sold, Christie's, New York, November 7, 1984, lot 117 (a pair)

(Location unknown), Organizada por S.A.D.A.O., Exposición de Arte Oriental, 1949, no. 289, the label inscribed Bissoue [or Bissone]
San Francisco, Fall Antiques Show, 1995

Wear to gilding in cavetto band, and almost completely worn on rim, very shallow 1/8 inch chip at 2 o'clock under edge, 2mm chip at 1 o'clock on and under edge, 2mm chip on edge at 3 o'clock, 3mm on upper edge at 4 o'clock. French exhibition sticker.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

See the first paragraph of the note to the following lot.

A plate from this service, also bearing a Russian inventory number, is illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 332, no. 14.23; and by Le Corbeiller 1974, p. 110, no. 47, who discusses the difficult trade conditions between Russia and China, and suggests on p. 112 that the present service, of which only a few plates are known, probably was "ordered through a Western company based in Canton."  Another such plate is illustrated by Beurdeley, p. 199, cat. 210; and a further example is illustrated by Krahl and Harrison-Hall, p. 277, no. 123, along with the silver ruble coin, p. 276, fig. 123a, serving as the model for the eagle decoration. A plate from this service was sold at Christie's in London on November 1, 1993, lot 135.