Emperor Alexander III: A Russian Imperial Presentation Silver and Enamel Bread and Salt Plate, Petr Fomich Panteleev, St. Petersburg, 1882

of circular shape, in the form of a folded, fringed linen napkin, the center applied with the Imperial cyphers of Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Fedorovna enameled in bright red and deep blue transparent enamel, set between carved and chased sprays of oak and laurel, the leaves enameled green; the irregular border applied with a silver and blue enamel dedicatory inscription identifying the bread and salt plate as a gift of the Mogilevsk Nobility and with the dates 862 (the foundation of the Russian state by Rurik) and 1883 (the year of Alexander III's coronation), the lower rim set with the enameled coat-of-arms of the Mogilev District, the remainder of the border applied with the sovereigns' enameled cyphers alternating with a cast and chased Imperial State coat-of-arms in silver.

Sotheby's London, February 20, 1985, lot 512, illustrated

Reproduced in Venchanie russkikh gosudarei na tsarstvo/Couronnement des Souverains russes, St. Petersburg, 1883, p. 261.

some loss to the applied laurel leaf and the foliage surrounding the Mogilev guberniya's coat-of-arms as well as losses to the enamel throughout
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.

An offering of bread and salt on a platter is a traditional form of Russian welcome and members of the Imperial family often received such offerings. On occasions of great importance, such as a coronation, both organizations and groups of individuals presented the Sovereign with richly ornamented silver and gold ceremonial chargers. The nobility of the Mogilev guberniya (located in present-day Belarus), purchased their gift to the new Emperor and Empress from Petr Fomich Pantaleev's shop in St. Petersburg's fashionable Gostiny Dvor. Pantaleev, a Merchant of the Second Guild, would have worked with representatives of the Mogilevsk nobility to arrive at an appropriate design to both celebrate the installation of the new Tsar as well as to adequately represent their membership. During the Coronation celebrations, these presentation plates were displayed for examination by members of the Court and visiting dignitaries and recorded in the profusely illustrated souvenir coronation volumes. Thus, the representatives of the Mogilevsk nobility selected a richly enameled and heavily chased silver charger to represent the honor of their region and the solemnity of the occasion.