Three porcelain plates, Imperial Porcelian Manufactory, circa 1820

decorated with views of the fountain in Peterhof, Gallery in Tsarskoe Selo and the constable of Gatchina, each with orange border and gilt scroll and stylised flowerhead and scroll rim within gilt bands, gilt foot and rim, each titled on reverse

In apparent 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. 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."

In 1806 Count Dmitry Guriev became the Director of the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory. As an energetic administrator he wanted to find new ways of producing porcelain and carried out reorganisation of the manufacturing line. Keen to see the fruits of his reforms, he invited specialists from Germany and France and tried to implement cheaper production practices. In 1814 captured French colonel Viscount De Puibusque offered to reveal the secret of printing on porcelain in exchange for his freedom. Before his return to France in 1815, De Puibusque set up a printing workshop at the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory and recommended to invite four masters from France. This new technique of printing on porcelain allowed for large-scale and cheap production.
The most successful series was the one featuring the views of St. Petersburg and Summer Palaces based on lithographs by S. Galaktionov, I.-G. Meyer, I. Telegin, A. Ukhtomskiy, I. Cheskogoand others after the originals by F. Alekseev and S. Schedrin.