A porcelain military plate, Imperial Porcelain Factory, St Petersburg, period of Alexander II, 1875

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 Russian Grenadier Corps

Originally, grenadiers were soldiers specially selected for the throwing of grenades and military assaults, though by the 18^th century they served this latter purpose considerably more than the former. Typically, only the largest and strongest soldiers were chosen for this Corps. The Russian Grenadier Corps expanded from one division in January 1811 to three in April 1814 and was based in Moscow. It remained a separate corps from the general army until the Russian Revolution.