A Russian Porcelain Basket from the Service for the Imperial Order of St. George, Gardner Porcelain Manufactory, Verbilki, 1777-1778

of circular, tapering form, the sides pierced and gilded, the undulating, gilded rim molded in a chain pattern, the exterior molded with the orange and black moiré sash of the order interwoven with laurel branches, also with sculpted and gilded crosses of the order set on opposite sides of the basket, the ribbons ending in a molded bow knot set below the handles painted brown to resemble woven branches and sculpted with delicate floral and leaf ornament, the center of the interior painted with the star of the order, on which is written in Cyrillic the motto: For Service and Bravery (Za sluzhbu i khrabrost), the interior also with several small gilt flowers.

Christie's New York, March 23, 1983, lot 263, illustrated

base is somewhat curved from a firing flaw, also with firing cracks near handles, some slight wear to gilding
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.

The Order services are dessert services and include a number of baskets for serving fruit or cakes. The pieces were all designed by the multitalented Gavriil Ignat'evich Kozlov (1738–1791), designer of the Orlov Service (see lot 7) as well as a Professor at the Academy of Arts and Director of the Imperial Tapestry Manufactory. The ingenious design is that of a rustic, trompe l'oeil woven basket around which has been wrapped the order's sash hung with the order's cross. The complex design with extensive piercing, as well as the inclusion of minutely sculpted flowers, must have been a challenge to model and to successfully fire; the success and lightness of the many baskets demonstrates the skill of Gardner's modelers and the high-quality of the porcelain mass.