A Russian Porcelain Dinner Plate from the Imperial Order of St. Vladimir Service, Gardner, 1783-1785

painted with the sash, badge, and star of the Order

The Collection of Marjorie Merriweather Post
Thence by descent

overall good 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Service for the Imperial Order of St. Vladimir is one of four porcelain dessert services commissioned by Empress Catherine the Great to be used during formal dinners held annually to honor knights of the highest Russian orders of chivalry. Her Majesty's Cabinet ordered services for three of the four orders – those of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Alexander Nevsky – in the fall of 1777. The Service for the Order of St. Vladimir was not ordered until 1783 because the Order was founded only in 1782, on the twentieth anniversary of her accession to the throne, and honored Prince Vladimir. Credited with having brought Christianity to Russia, Vladimir was canonized by the Orthodox church and was called "equal to the apostles." In Russian, this is rendered as Sviatoi Ravnoapostolnyi Kniaz Vladimir and thus the Cyrillic letters CPKB  [SRKV] appear on the star depicted at the center of each plate. Pieces from the service are decorated with the Order's regalia: in addition to the Order's star, on which is written the motto Usefulness, Honor, and Glory, the rim is decorated with Order's red and black sash supporting a badge. The Order of St. Vladimir service was first used at the Winter Palace at the ceremony held on the saint's feast day, September 22, 1785, and thereafter was repeated annually until the 1917 Revolution.