A Soviet porcelain tea set, State porcelain manufactory, 1922

comprising: a circular tray, tea pot, covered sugar bowl, cream jug and eight cups and saucers, all decorated with brightly coloured flowers and parcel-gilt swans, after designs by Bosilka Radonich, painted by Radonich, Maria Kirillova and Elizaveta Potapova, with green Imperial ciphers of Alexander III and Nicholas II, blue manufactory marks dated 1922, further signed with artists' initials and marks

Two of the cups and saucers are slightly larger and of a different form suggesting it might have originally been intended as a tete-a-tete. One of the larger cups has a small chip to the rim and a radiating hairline crack measuring approx. 4.5 cm long. There is some very minor wear to the gilding as expected with age. Otherwise it is a highly attractive set in good overall condition consistent with age.
"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."

Bazilka Stepanovna Radonich was born into the Montenegrin Royal family in Cetinje in 1884. She moved to St. Petersburg in the retinue of her two cousins, the Grand Duchesses Militsa and Anastasia, daughters of King Nicholas I of Montenegro who were both married to cousins of Tsar Nicholas II. It is in Russia she learned to paint on porcelain and during the World War I she worked at Imperial Porcelain Factory as a painter and designer. In 1923-1924 Bazilka was arrested but with the help of Anatoly Lunacharsky and Consul-General of Italy she escaped from Russia and moved to Paris where she became a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elena of Italy, daughter of King Nicholas I of Montenegro. Until her death in the late 1970s Bazilka continued to paint on porcelain favouring delicate flower motifs. She often presented such works to the Queen and other members of her family as birthday or name day gifts.