A plate from the porcelain service of the Grand-Duke Mikhail Pavlovitch from the imperial manufacture of Saint Petersburg, 19th century, Nicolas 1er (1825-1855)

the curved edges with a polychrome ornamentation of floral bouquets, fruits, dogs, goats, and a flower bouquet at the center, surrounded by golden rocaille scrolls on a purple and blue background, marked with the blue crowned letter H

- Probably a gift from the Tsar Nicholas I of Russia to the Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovitch (1827-1894)
- Thence by descent to his daughter the Duchess Georg August of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, née Grand Duchess Catherine Mikhailovna of Russia (1827-1894)
- Thence by descent to Duc Georg of Mecklenburg (1899-1963) from whom bought in 1952 by Marjorie Merriweather Post

The illustration of the catalogue is accurate. Good overall condition.
"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."

Most of this service was purchased in 1952 by Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887-1973) from Duke Georges of Mecklenburg (1899-1963). This large service, which certainly our plate was part of, is now housed at the Hillwood Museum in Washington D.C. When sold in 1952, the Duke of Mecklenburg signed a declaration confirming that this service had been offered by Tsar Nicholas I in 1835 to his grandfather, the Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich (1827-1894). Then his daughter, Grand Duchess Catherine Mikhailovna (1827-1894), married in 1851 the Duke Georges Auguste of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1824-1876) and took the service to Remplin castle (Mecklenburg). The limited number of pieces from this service in the collections of Russian museums is explained by the fact that the service left Russia in 1851. Anne Odom stated that this service was regularly used at Hillwood by Mrs. Post. (Anne Odom, Russian Porcelain at Hillwood, Washington, D.C., 1999, pp. 8, 72-73). Twelve plates and two dishes from this service were featured in the former collection of Lily and Edmond J. Safra (Sotheby's, New York, 18 October 2011, lot 51). A significant portion of this service was auctioned recently (Sotheby's, New York, 19 October 2016, lot 447).