A Pair of Russian Porcelain Dinner Plates from the Farm Palace Banquet Service, Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, St. Petersburg, Period of Nicholas I (1825-1855)

Estimate

5,000 - 7,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

with blue Imperial cypher of Nicholas I
Porcelain
Diameter 9 7/8 in.
25.1 cm

in the Neo-Rococo taste with shaped borders, the centers with the gilt, floriated initial A beneath a gilt Imperial crown for Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich (the future Emperor Alexander II), with profusely ornamented scrolls against a sky blue ground

Catalogue Note

The Banquet Service for the Farm Palace was commissioned in March 1840, probably in preparation for the Grand Duke's marriage to Marie of Hesse and Rhine (the future Empress Maria Alexandrovna) in 1841. The relatively small service comprised only 36 covers and, together with its lavish decoration, indicates that it was intended for the most exclusive dinners hosted in the future Emperor's household.