A Pair of Russian Soup Plates from the Service for the Imperial Order of St. Andrew First Called, Gardner Porcelain Manufactory, Verbilki, 1778-1780

of circular shape with scalloped, gilded border, the center painted with the star of the order on which is written in Cyrillic the order's motto: For Faith and Loyalty (Za veru i vernost), and the border with the order's chain.

A la Vieille Russie, New York

some rubbing to gilding on rims, one plate with a chip to the foot
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.

Although the Order of St. Andrew the First Called was the most prestigious of all the Russian Orders, the Service for the Knights' Annual Banquet was completed second, near the end of 1780. Made for eighty covers, the pieces were more difficult to mold because the primary design device was the order's unique chain, rather than the pale blue sash. It is interesting to note that the Cabinet commissioned an entirely new service made on Russian soil to harmonize with those for the Orders of St. George and St. Alexander Nevsky rather than simply continuing to use the Meissen St. Andrew Service (see lot 6). Emperor Peter I founded the Order in 1698 "as a reward and tribute to some for loyalty, courage, and all manner of meritorious services rendered to Our person and country." Unlike the Order of St. George, which could be awarded to those who did not hold noble rank, the Order of St. Andrew was strictly limited to the well-born who held at least the title of Count.

Although the Order Services were commissioned as dessert services, Natalia Sipovskaia has published the original registers for the services indicating that they included "deep plates (glubokie tarelki) for soup." See N. Sipovskaia, "Ordenskie servizy," Pinakoteka 5, pp. 16-21.