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 4^th Infantry Division and The Life Guards Ural Cossack Division

Formed in 1806, the 4^th 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.

The Life Guards Ural Cossack Division wore a distinctive pink-red uniform and contributed its regiments to the 9^th Cavalry Division in Kiev, the 1^st Turkestan Cossack Division in Samara and the 15^th Cavalry Division in Wloclawek. The military service of a Cossack began at the age of 20. Usually, soldiers trained near their home for their first year of duty before leaving to spend four years as 1^st Line Category Units. However, Ural Cossacks had two years of training instead of one. For the next four years after this stage, Cossack soldiers were allowed to remain at home on leave as 2^nd Category units. Following this, they spent four years as 3^rd Category Units, which meant they were only required to have their equipment ready for use. The final five years of service were spent as a reserve class known as zapasnyi razryad.