Two porcelain dinner plates and three porcelain soup plates from The Guriev Service, Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, St Petersburg, Period of Alexander II (1855-1881)

the cavettos decorated with swirly gilt rosettes within red ochre and gilt frieze borders, all with green Imperial cyphers of Alexander II

Overall very good condition with some wear, minor firing flaws, scratches and discoloration.
"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 June 1807 Emperors Napoleon I and Alexander I signed a peace treaty between Russia and France.  Grand gestures of friendship followed.  Among them, Napoleon gave Alexander a service of Sèvres porcelain made in Empire style.  Two years later, Alexander ordered his Imperial Porcelain Manufactory to produce a service to rival the French.  The sculptor and artist Stepan Pimenov (1784-1833) designed what came to be known as the Russian Service, incorporating nationalistic motifs ranging from metropolitan architecture to rural scenes.  By the time the service was finished, Russia had defeated Napoleon in battle.

Count D. A. Guriev (1751-1825) oversaw the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory at the time of production (1809-1816).  A wise manager, he recruited four French artists from Sèvres to work at the Russian factory.  As a result, Guriev’s name was immortalised by an opulent service of Empire-style porcelain intended for the Winter Palace and conceived to serve fifty.  In the second half of the 19th century, it was expanded to include more than 4,500 pieces.  The ornamental gold foliage reflects the glare of empires competing for artistic as well as military glory.