A porcelain plaque, late 19th century

oval, with painted sepia portrait of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich in military uniform, inscribed to the reverse: Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich

Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (1847-1909) was the third, but second surviving son of Tsar Alexander II.  He was eight years old when his father ascended to the throne in 1855. On 28 August 1874 he married Princess Marie Alexandrine Elisabeth Eleonore of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and they had five children.  Following the assassination of the Tsar and his family in 1917 his son Cyril was proclaimed head of the Imperial house in exile.