Russian Works of Art, Fabergé & Icons

Russian Works of Art, Fabergé & Icons

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 100. A porcelain military plate, Imperial Porcelain Factory, St Petersburg, period of Alexander II, 1874.

Property of a Gentleman (lots 1-3, 54, 100-110)

A porcelain military plate, Imperial Porcelain Factory, St Petersburg, period of Alexander II, 1874

Lot Closed

June 9, 02:40 PM GMT

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property of a Gentleman (lots 1-3, 54, 100-110)

A porcelain military plate, Imperial Porcelain Factory, St Petersburg, period of Alexander II, 1874


The cavetto depicting the 4th Infantry Division within a border of gilt laurel on lilac ground, surmounted by the imperial double-headed eagle, inscribed in Cyrillic after a painting by Balashov (1853-1888) and signed A. Morozov, dated 1874, with underglazed green and blue Imperial cypher of Alexander II

diameter 24.7cm, 9 3/4 in.

Private Collection, UK

This important group from a Private Collection (lots 1-3, 54, 100-110), UK includes sixteen rare examples of cabinet military porcelain plates from the period of Alexander II. The Imperial Porcelain Factory painters executed two versions of each plate, one intended for Emperor Alexander II and the second for the heir to the throne. Inspired by the series of watercolours by Piratsky depicting Changes in the Clothing and Arms of the Russian Imperial Army during the Reign of Alexander Nicholayevich this important cabinet service was commenced in 1886. Piratsky’s series was a supplement to the famous work by the military historian Alexander Viskovatov Historical Descriptions of the Clothing and Arms of the Russian Army and were made after the materials in the Musuem of the Main Intendance Offico. The original watercolours are held in the Russian Museum in St Petersburg and the series was continued by Pyotr Balashov (1853-1888) after Piratsky’s death. As can be seen in the present impressive and comprehensive group of plates, the Imperial Porcelain Painters used the watercolours to inspire vignettes and poses on the plates, rather than copying them directly, creating interesting comparisons between the source material and final product.


These inventive military scenes were created by the finest painters-decorators from the period, all represented in the present group, with four by A. Morozov, two each by A. Mironov, T. Semenov, N. Kholshevnikov and A. Novikov; and one each by Wassily Midin, F. Torachkov, N. Ivanov and V. Kirsanov. 


The 4th Infantry Division


Formed in 1806, the 4th Infantry Division was made up of four brigades and served until the Russian Revolution. Its headquarters were in Lomzha, which is now in North Eastern Poland.